Casa de Nariño facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Casa de Nariño |
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Top: The executive residence's northern facade with a columned portico facing the North Lawn and Nuñez Square
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Address | Carrera 8 A Number 7-26, Bogotá, D.C. |
| Coordinates | 4°35′44″N 74°4′39″W / 4.59556°N 74.07750°W |
| Current tenants | President of Colombia and First Family |
| Construction started | September 4, 1906 |
| Completed | July 20, 1908 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Gastón Lelarge Julián Lombana |
| Designated | August 7, 1908 |
The Casa de Nariño, which means "House of Nariño," is the official home and main office for the President of Colombia. It is located in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. This important building was opened in 1908. It stands on the very spot where Antonio Nariño, a famous Colombian hero, was born. Architects Gastón Lelarge and Julián Lombana designed the building.
In 1980, the Casa de Nariño was reopened after new parts were added. Inside, you can find beautiful artworks and furniture from different times in history. The garden also has the Bogotá Astronomical Observatory. This observatory was designed by a friar-architect named Domingo de Petrés and built between 1802 and 1803. People sometimes call it "Palacio de Nariño," but "Casa de Nariño" is also very common.
Contents
History of the Presidential Palace
The Birthplace of a Hero
The story of Casa de Nariño began in 1754. Don Vicente Nariño bought a large house on Carrera Street. He lived there with his wife, Catalina Álvarez, and their children for about 30 years. On April 9, 1765, their son, Antonio Nariño, was born in this house. Antonio Nariño later became one of Colombia's most important heroes for his role in the country's independence.
After the Nariño family, the house had several owners. Later, the famous leader Simón Bolívar worked from a different palace in Bogotá. However, a strong earthquake in 1827 damaged that palace. This led Bolívar to move the presidential office to the San Carlos Palace.
Becoming the Presidential Home
Years later, on October 23, 1885, President Rafael Núñez bought the Nariño house. He wanted it to become the new presidential palace. He admired its beauty, historical importance, and its location near the National Capitol. Presidents lived there until 1892.
After that, the presidential residence moved back to the San Carlos Palace. The Nariño house was then used for other purposes. It served as the War Ministry, the National Archive, and even part of the National University.
Rebuilding and Modernizing
In 1906, General Rafael Reyes decided to rebuild the house. He hired architects Gastón Lelarge and Julián Lombana. They made the house bigger and added two levels inside. They also designed grand halls and improved the outside with carved stones. A Swiss sculptor named Luigi Ramelli did the detailed decorations. On July 20, 1908, the building officially became the Casa de Nariño once more.
Later, during the time of President Eduardo Santos, a third floor and a rooftop terrace were built. The presidential office stayed in Casa de Nariño until 1954. Then, General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla moved the presidency back to the San Carlos Palace for a while.
Big Changes to the Palace
In 1972, plans were made to expand and update the Casa de Nariño. These changes happened during President Alfonso López Michelsen's time, from 1974 to 1978. The front of the building on Carrera Seventh Street stayed the same. However, other parts like the gardens, the National Observatory, and the main square were redesigned. This made the palace stand out more from other buildings.
To make these big changes, some nearby buildings had to be taken down. Many important buildings around Casa de Nariño were also declared 'National Monuments.' These included the Astronomical Observatory and the National Capitol. This helped protect their historical value.
A New Era for Casa de Nariño
The presidency moved back into the newly remodeled Casa de Nariño between 1979 and 1980. Its reopening happened during President Julio César Turbay's government. In 1979, the image of Casa de Nariño even appeared on new 1000 pesos bills. Also, the first color television broadcast in Colombia showed images of the palace's new look.
In 2002, during a presidential inauguration, an incident caused minor damage to the building. This led to even stronger security measures around the area. Later, in 2007, a famous painting called "El Cóndor" was briefly taken from the palace. Luckily, it was quickly found and returned.
Location and Surroundings
Where is Casa de Nariño?
The Casa de Nariño is in the historic area of La Candelaria in Bogotá. It sits between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Road. To the south, it is connected to the San Agustin church and the Ministry of Finance building. You can also see a statue of Antonio José de Sucre there.
Seventh Street used to follow a river called San Agustin. The river was covered in 1979 to make way for the street. Because of this, the Sucre statue was moved to Ayacucho Square, which is to the east of the Casa de Nariño.
On the east side of Eighth Road, you'll find the Casa Republicana and Ayacucho Square. To the west of Eighth Street are the Claustro de San Agustin and the Vice Presidency building. In front of the north side of Casa de Nariño is the Plaza de Armas. This square features a statue of Antonio Nariño and faces the National Capitol.
Exploring Casa de Nariño
The Plaza de Armas
On the north side of the palace is the Plaza de Armas, or Parade Square. This is where important guests from other countries are welcomed with military honors. In the square, you can see two interesting sculptures. One is a copy of an ancient stone sculpture from the San Agustin Archaeological Park. The other is a modern sculpture called "Vigilantes" by Édgar Negret. It is made of red aluminum plates.
On the west side of the Plaza de Armas is the National Observatory. This observatory was built between 1802 and 1803 by Friar Domingo de Petrès. It is the oldest observatory in all of America. Important leaders met here to plan Colombia's independence. Today, it is part of the National University.
Every day, the 37th Infantry Battalion performs the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony in the Plaza de Armas. This military parade is a famous sight. A statue of Antonio Nariño, created by French sculptor Henri-Léon Gréber, also stands in front of the square.
Inside the First Floor
When you enter the main doors, you step into the Hall of Flags (Pasillo de las Banderas). Here, you'll see the flags of Colombia's military forces. There are also historical flags, including one created by Francisco de Miranda.
Next is the Bargueños Room, a waiting area for visitors. This room has old trunks that belonged to Simón Bolívar. He used them to carry important war documents. There is also a large painting of Jesus by Gregorio Vasquez de Arce y Ceballos.
Another room is the Louis XV Salon, also called the Carlos Holguin Salon. It has an oil painting of former president Carlos Holguin Mallarino. The furniture in this room is in the fancy Louis XV style. A beautiful lamp made of Murano glass hangs from the ceiling.
Outside the Louis XV Salon is the Suitors' Court (Patio de los Novios). Carriages used to enter here. In the center, there is a fountain and a sculpture called Anudamiento (Knotting) by Edgar Negret. A gallery nearby displays portraits of the last 25 presidents. Only Simón Bolívar's portrait stays when new ones arrive. A conference room for press events is at the end of this gallery.
The first floor also has an entrance from Seventh Road. Here, you can see a Roman sculpture of the god Silvanus, donated by Italy. The Staircase of Honour leads to the second floor. It has small sculptures inspired by Moorish warriors.
Inside the Second Floor
Upstairs, an anteroom features a painting by Tito Salas. It shows Bolívar giving a speech at the Congress of Angostura. You can also see a German Piano that belonged to Manuelita Sáenz. Marble busts of Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander are also here.
The Yellow Room (Salón Amarillo) is where foreign ambassadors meet the president. This room still has its original bamboo floor. The Gobelinos Room (Salón de los Gobelinos) has beautiful tapestries made in France by the Gobelin Brothers.
The Council of Ministers Room is where the president meets with his or her ministers. It is decorated with the painting El Cóndor by Alejandro Obregón. Portraits of historical figures like Camilo Torres Tenorio also hang here. The Formal Room (Salón Protocolario) is used for special events. It has a Colombian Flag made of rustic wool. The President's private office is decorated with portraits of Simón Bolívar, Francisco de Paula Santander, and Antonio Nariño.
The main dining room is called the Blue Room (Salón Azul) or Patriotic Room (Salón Patria). It has large paintings of Colombian landscapes by Antonio Barrera. Vases gifted by the Government of China also decorate the room. Behind this is the Viceregal Room (Salón Virreinal). It features a portrait of the Spanish viceroy Sebastián de Eslava. A unique vase from Germany, with a small beetle at its base, is also in this room. A small chapel here was used by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Colombia in 1986.
The Bolívar Room (Salón Bolívar), or Red Room, is used for special meetings and celebrations. It has an oil painting of Simón Bolívar called Bolívar Viviente by Ricardo Acevedo Bernal. The Emerald Room is decorated in the Empire style. It features convex mirrors and a working 19th-century clock.
Protecting the Palace
The Presidential Guard Battalion
The Casa de Nariño is protected by the National Army of Colombia's 37th Infantry Presidential Guard Battalion. This group is also known as the Presidential Guard Battalion. It was created on September 7, 1927, to protect the President of Colombia. This battalion is made up of about 1,400 people, including officers and soldiers.
The battalion has different companies, like the Córdova Company (Infantry) and the Rondon Troop (Cavalry). They also have their own military band. Their headquarters are located near the Ministry of Finance building. Their motto is "En Defensa del Honor Hasta la Muerte," which means "In defense of honor till death."
This battalion has played a key role in protecting the palace during challenging times in Colombia's history. On certain days, the public can watch the flag lowering and Guard Mounting ceremony performed by the battalion. They also visit different towns and cities across the country.
See also
