Plaza Mayor

The heart of Villa de Leyva is a single, enormous square of river stones — one of the largest cobbled plazas in the Americas, and the reason most people come.

What to see

The plaza is ringed by whitewashed colonial houses with green wooden balconies and tiled roofs. On one side stands the parish church, its stone bell tower facing the square, and at the centre is a Mudéjar-style fountain that once supplied the town’s water. On one corner, the Casa del Primer Congreso recalls the first congress of the United Provinces of New Granada, held here in 1812.

When to go

Come early, before the day-trippers arrive, when the light is soft and the square is almost empty. Return at sunset, when the stones glow and the cafés around the edge fill up. Weekends and holiday Mondays are lively; weekdays are calm.

Tips

The cobbles are big and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes and take care after rain. Bring sun protection: at 2,150 m the sun is strong and there’s no shade in the middle. In early December the square hosts the Festival de Luces fireworks, the busiest weekend of the year.

Nearby

Within a few blocks you’ll find the house where independence hero Antonio Nariño spent his last days, now a museum, and the Plaza del Carmen with its convent and religious art museum.