Sanctuary of Monserrate

From almost any point in the city, you can see the santuario de Monserrate, located in the eastern hills of Bogotá. Situated at 3,172 meters above sea level, on the summit of the Cerro de Monserrate or Cerro de Las Nieves. The devotion to climb on foot along a path of nearly three kilometers to this traditional site of religious pilgrimage arises because at its peak there is a sanctuary dating back to the year 1620 with the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Monserrate. The basilica houses the image of the Señor Caído de Monserrate, a Christ who, according to believers, performs miracles, and at the summit visitors can follow a Way of the Cross.

A bit of history about the most visited sanctuary in Bogotá

The history of this sacred place dates back to almost 500 years ago, when Bogotá was founded, and it is now a city icon.

The original name of the mountain is Cerro de Las Nieves, named so by the Muiscas due to the frequent cloudiness. Years later, a monastery dedicated to the Virgen de Montserrat was founded there, and a path was built from the iglesia de Las Nieves to the summit of the cerro, with small chapels for pilgrims. The first religious festival that included a pilgrimage to this cerro was the fiesta de la Santa Cruz.

At the top of this cerro is the image of the Señor Caído de Monserrate, made in 1640 by the artist Pedro de Lugo Albarracín. For many Catholic faithful, this statue of the Lord is very miraculous and represents a special encounter with God. Therefore, every weekend, many Colombians and foreigners climb the cerro. Faith is the main reason this place receives so many visits.

The current sanctuary building was completed in 1920. It has a cable car and a funicular to reach the summit, ideal for those who prefer a quicker trip. However, the pedestrian path is perfect for enjoying nature, seeing the remains of the indigenous trail, exercising, discovering an interesting array of handicrafts, and interacting with the rich culture of this country.

You may also be interested in: Other destinations for religious tourism in Colombia.

How to reach the top of Monserrate?

Monserrate is located near downtown Bogotá, very close to the historic center of Bogotá, and you can get there via Carrera 2da. Este No. 21 - 48, Paseo de Bolívar. If you want to go up the cerro, there are 3 options where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the city, since the entire capital of Colombia can be seen on the way.

Walk along the pedestrian path

If you want to exercise, have a penance to fulfill, or simply prefer the experience of climbing the cerro on foot, keep in mind the opening and closing times of the Monserrate trail. It is open every day except Tuesday, from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to go up and from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to come down. It is important to plan your time, as the route takes about 50 minutes. This option is free of charge.

Go up by funicular

If you prefer more comfort or have difficulty climbing stairs for health reasons, you can take the Monserrate funicular, which is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and on Saturdays until 4:30 p.m., at a cost of 22,000 COP for both trips. On Sundays and holidays, it runs until 6:30 p.m., at a cost of 13,000 COP for both trips.

Go up by cable car

Another perfect option for those who want to save time on the ascent is the Monserrate cable car, which operates Monday to Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., at a cost of 22,000 COP for both trips. On Sundays, it operates from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at a cost of 13,000 COP for both trips.

What to do and see in Monserrate?

If you walk up, along the way you will see a great variety of handicrafts, typical food, sculptures of the stations of the Way of the Cross, and the chapel of the Virgen de Monserrat. If you go up by funicular or cable car, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the capital and the diverse flora and fauna of the cerro, home to more than 80 bird species.

Once at the top of the cerro, there are several activities to enjoy, such as the main tourist attraction, the Basílica Santuario de Monserrate. In this church, you can see beautiful sculptures from the colonial era, including the important statue of the Señor Caído de Monserrate, representing Jesus falling for the third time on the way to Calvary. It is said to be miraculous, that its hair grows, and that when people attempt to bring it down to the city, its weight increases, making it impossible to move.

Behind the sanctuary, there is a large square with handicrafts or souvenirs, and next to it several restaurants where you can sample a wide variety of Bogotana cuisine, from hot chocolate with tamal and bread to the famous caldo de costilla, changua, ajiaco, and much more. In addition, diagonally across from the Sanctuary, there are two traditional restaurants from the past century that have terraces overlooking the mountain and the city, where you can enjoy typical Colombian food or even international dishes.

You may also be interested in: The 5 unmissable gastronomic experiences in Bogotá.

At the summit of Monserrate, you will find beautiful gardens with incredible floral arrangements, where you can stroll and discover the famous “Pozo de los Deseos,” to make your wishes as you toss in a coin. And something unforgettable will be, of course, the lookout point, where you can admire the Cerro de Guadalupe, the best views of Bogotá, spectacular sunsets, and then appreciate the capital illuminated at night. You surely won’t want to miss this spectacular view.