A Walk Through Villa de Leyva on 24/05/10 by Alexandria Prain

Villa de Leyva, the beautiful colonial town just a short distance from the capital city of Bogota, is a wonderful place to enjoy a weekend excursion that will give you a glimpse of life in the past. Founded in 1572 as Villa de Nuestra Senora de Santa Maria de Leyva, this cobble-stoned colonial town is absolutely charming and offers red-tiled roofs, balconies and private courtyards.

Take a stroll through the city's beautiful and tranquil streets, where you can take in the charming white washed houses, with wooden shutters, doors and balconies. The balconies themselves are worth studying with their characteristic green and dark paint, elegantly accented with fragrant Bougainvilleas and geraniums. Another noteworthy feature of the colonial homes is their massive doors, which feature wood carvings related to the original owner's occupation and/or status. The most distinct feature in the town however, is their enormous cobblestone plaza that sits just in front of the parish church.

After a bit of strolling and once your tummy starts to rumble, make sure to stop by one of the favorite pastry shops where you can indulge yourself in a scrumptious Besos de mi novia, a meringue and cake confection that will literally melt the moment it touches your tongue.

Villa de Leyva is truly a special and quaint town worth experiencing. We look forward to showing you our rich history and culture.