Tunja

An important educational centre of well-known universities. In the time before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, there was an indigenous settlement, called Hunza, seat of the hoa Quemuenchatocha, conquered by the Spanish conquistadors on August 20, 1537. The Spanish city was founded by captain Gonzalo Suárez Rendón on August 6, 1539, exactly one year after the capital Santafé de Bogotá. The city hosts the most remaining Muisca architecture: Hunzahúa Well, Goranchacha Temple and Cojines del Zaque. A tourist destination, especially for religious colonial architecture, with the Casa Fundador Gonzalo Suárez Rendón recognized as the oldest remnant. In addition to its religious and historical sites it is host to several internationally known festivals and is a jumping-off point for regional tourist destinations such as Villa de Leyva, Paipa, and Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. It is a stop on the Pan American Highway which connects Tunja to Bogotá and Santa Marta and eventually to the northern and southernmost parts of South America.

• Official Name — Tunja • Type — Municipality and city • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Colombia • Subdivision Type1 — Department • Subdivision Name1 — Boyacá • Subdivision Type2 — Province • Subdivision Name2 — Central Boyacá Province • Leader Title — Mayor • Leader Name — Mikhail Krasnov (2024-2027) • Total Type — Municipality • Established Title — Founded • Established Date — 6 August 1539 (Years ago) • Founder — Gonzalo Suárez Rendón • Established Title2 — Established • Established Date2 — March 29, 1541 • Area Total Km2 — 119.7 • Area Urban Km2 — 21.51 • Population As Of — 2020 • Population Total — 179,205 • Pop Est As Of — 2026 • Population Urban — 214,651 • Population Metro — 294,918 • Population Rank — 33rd in Colombia 24th (Agglomeration) • Population Blank1 Title — Locality/City • Population Density Km2 — auto • Population Est — 191,372 • Population Density Urban Km2 — auto • Population Blank1 — 177,700 • Population Demonym — Tunjano • Elevation M — 2820 • Postal Code Type — Postal code • Postal Code — 150001-150009 • Area Code — 57 + 8 • Footnotes — IGAC - DANE - DIAN.

Evolution of the population of the municipality of Tunja • | 1500 — ~200,000 • | 1636 — 50,000 • | 1910 — 10,000 • | 1928 — 19,000 • | 1951 — 27,402 • | 1962 — 68,905 • | 1973 — 84,013 • | 1985 — 93,245 • | 1993 — 101,622 • | 2005 — 152,419 • | 2019 — 202,939 Tunja has a population of 172,548 inhabitants according to the 2018 Census. 0.1% of the city is indigenous, 0.4% is black, and 99.5% is white and Mestizo. It is located in central Colombia, at an elevation ranging from approximately 2700 m to 2900 m. The city centre is at an elevation of 2820 m above sea level.

Tunja's climate is influenced by its location and altitude. At almost 3000 m it is one of the higher cities in Colombia. As a result, the city features a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cfb) with little variation in temperature throughout the year but a distinct dry season from December to February.

The earliest evidence of human population on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense has been dated to approximately 12.000 years ago. Homus Tequendama inhabited the area by 6375 BCE. Archeologists have found human skeletons including arm bones in the area. Many archaeological discoveries were found in the area of the present-day city, dated to approximately 150 BCE. During the 1st millennium AD, the territory was inhabited by the Muisca, who spoke Chibcha and emigrated from Central America through Panama to the Andean Region. The Muisca developed their own religion, calendar and mythology. According to those myths, it was the brutal cacique and prophet Goranchacha who moved the capital for the northern Muisca from Ramiriquí to Tunja, then called Hunza.

• Illustration — Eucaneme An era when frequent battles among cacicazgos took place, peace was proposed for the region and an agreement was made among caciques to choose a supreme chief to rule them all. Hunzahúa, who came from Ramiriqui, was elected. The capital of his confederation was named Hunza. Hunzahúa took the title of hoa ("great lord", the same meaning as psihipqua who ruled from Muyquytá), and reign over the lands from the Chicamocha to Fusagasugá and from the Llanos de San Juan to Panche and Muzo frontiers, including Vélez territory. This helped to unify the Muisca, especially with respect to their language and religion, until zipa Saguamanchica broke this unity due to differences with the cacique of Guatavita.

• Illustration — Aquiminzaque Saguamanchica, with 50,000 soldiers, decided on a massive attack on hoa Michuá, crossing Guatavita and Chocontá, after which the Battle of Chocontá is named. Michuá dealt with him, supported by an army which doubled Saguamanchica, battling around three hours and killing both chiefs. A new hoa, Eucaneme, was installed, during the tense truce between Bacatá and Hunza. In 1514, Eucaneme found out about the expansionist intentions of the new psihipqua Nemequene. He asked the caciques of Gámeza, Sugamuxi, Tundama and Sáchica to help him to reinforce his army. A battle was fought in Ventaquemada and, when Nemequene was about to become the victor, he was fatally wounded and his troops retreated. Iraca retracted his support and Eucaneme got a truce whose terms would end when the Spanish arrived. When Eucaneme found out the Europeans were around his lands, he decided to stay in Hunza and avoided any aggression against the invaders. He forbade under strict penalties to show the conquistadors the path to his headquarters and when he knew they were reaching him, he sent them gifts and peacemakers, hoping to stop them while he was hiding his treasures.

• Illustration — Tomb of Gonzalo Suárez Rendón

Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada parted from Santa Marta in April 1536, on the first main expedition into the Andes. His main goal was to find and conquer El Dorado. After months of traveling, he found many Muisca cacicazgos in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. In his search, he acquired information about emerald discoveries and other treasures in Somondoco and the Llanos. On August 20, 1537, the conquerors arrived, with horses and dogs. Jiménez de Quesada arrived at the headquarters of Quemuenchatocha, finding him in a chair, dressed in gold in the same way as his companions who ran off, leaving him alone. The gold, the emeralds and the fancy fabrics were taken. This conquest took place where later the San Agustin Convent was built. Quemuenchatocha was taken to Suesca, with the hope he would reveal where he hid the rest of his treasure. He abdicated in favour of his nephew Aquiminzaque and retired to Ramiriquí where he died.

The Spanish Invasion of the territory begins when Jimenez de Quesada captures Quemuenchatocha who is succeeded in life by the young Aquiminzaque. The latter, along with his tribe were taken as an encomienda by Hernán Pérez de Quesada. The new zaque did not show belligerent in front of the Spaniards, and later himself converted to Catholicism. The continuous and numerous demands made by the Spaniards started to create discomfort among the Muisca population. Aquiminzaque should verify his nuptials with the daughter of the cacique of Gameza and many chiefs decided to go the solemn ceremony. A rumour came to Perez de Quesada that the occasion would be used as an insurrection, for which he apprehended Aquiminzaque and all the caciques, among them the ones from Toca, Motavita, Samacá, Turmequé and Sutamarchán, and condemn them to death. In 1540, the Zaque was beheaded and his death marked the end of the dynasty of zaques of Hunza. In the same way, it points to the disintegration and dispersion of natives in encomiendas along the new Tunja Province. • Illustration — Don Juan de Castellanos

The Spanish city of Tunja was founded on the lands of Quemuenchatocha, where later the convent of San Agustin was built. Founded by Captain Gonzalo Suarez Rendón, on August 6, 1539, the main square was established, also a yard for the church and public buildings around the square; in 1550, the city outlines were consolidated. The same year, The franciscans arrive to the city, and the Dominicans a year later, the Augustinians in 1585 and the Jesuits in 1611; To the foundation, 77 yards are added and divided, along with 70 vegetable gardens, 11 estates and 44 stables. Only until 1616 two parishes are built to receive mestizos and Indians during colonial period: Santa Barbara, at southwest and Las Nieves, at north.

Tunja has the lowest homicide rate in Colombia and is below average in Latin America according to the report from the International Centre of the Prevention of Crime for 2010. 2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015 makes the city one of the safest in the Americas. According to other sources, this value is four times lower than the national average. Tunja is an example of a safe city. • Illustration — Northern zone • Illustration — Emerald Quarter • Illustration — Bolivar Square, Downtown • Illustration — Train station, the historic center DHC Tunja • Illustration — San Agustin Convent • Illustration — Boyaca Bridge in Tunja, the site where Colombian independence was won

The streets are named according to 472 and Google Maps nomenclatures — (C: calle), (K: carrera), (S: south), (E: east), (A: ave). Southern Sector • English Name — Spanish Name — Address • Bridge of Boyaca — Puente de Boyacá — Rural Area (La Lajita) • Flower Pot Monument — Los Tiestos — K14-C16 • Mushroom Monument — Los Hongos — A Oriental • St. Martin's Church — Iglesia de San Martín — Libertador Neighborhood • Bullfighting arena — Plaza de Toros — K8-C13S Eastern Sector • English Name — Spanish Name — Address • Botanical Garden — Jardín Botánico — BTS Highway (Autopista Circunvalar BTS) • St. Anthony's Church — Iglesia de San Antonio — San Antonio Neighborhood • Governorate Viaduct — Viaducto Paseo de La Gobernación — BTS-A.Olímpica • JNN Viaduct — Viaducto Jose Nepomuceno Niño — C24-Universitaria Downtown • English name — Spanish name — Address • Las Nieves Church and Square — Iglesia y Plazoleta de las Nieves — K10-C22 • St. Ignatius' Church — Iglesia de San Ignacio — K10-C18 • *St. Barbara's Church — Iglesia de Santa Bárbara — K11-C17 • St. Dominic's Church — Iglesia de Santo Domingo — K11-C19 • St. Laureano's Church — Iglesia de San Laureano — K9-C15 • St. Lazarus Hill and Church — Loma e Iglesia de San Lázaro — San Lázaro Neighborhood • St. Claire Royal Convent — Convento de Santa Clara la Real — K11-C21 • St. Francis Church — Iglesia de San Francisco — K10-21A • Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle in Tunja — Catedral Basílica Metropolitana Santiago de Tunja — Bolivar Square • Meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días — C12-K10 • Our Lady of Miracles Church — Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Milagro (El Topo) — K15-C19 • St. Augustine Cloister — Claustro de San Agustín — K9-C23 • Cojines del Zaque — Cojines del Zaque — K4-C12 • Republic Forest — Bosque de la República — K11-C14 • Freedom Obelisk — Obelisco de la Libertad — K10-C14 • City Founder Gonzalo Suárez Rendón House and Museum — Casa Museo del Fundador — Bolívar Square • Juan de Castellanos' Palace and Museum — Casa Museo Juan de Castellanos — Bolívar Square • Don Juan de Vargas' Palace and Museum — Casa Museo Don Juan de Vargas — K9-C20 • Bolivar Square — Plaza de Bolívar — K9-C19 • Tower Palace (Governorate Palace of Boyacá) — Palacio de la Torre — Bolívar Square K10-C20 • Rojas Pinilla's House — Casa Cultural Rojas Pinilla — K11-C16 • Martyr's Wall Monument — Paredón de los Mártires — K9-C14 • La Pila del Mono's Fountain — La Pila del Mono — K9-C20 • Royal Palace (currently a shopping mall) — Plaza Real — K14-C20 • St. Thomas University Building — Edificio Universidad Santo Tomás — K12-C19 • Santander Park — Parque Santander — A Colón • Pinzón Park — Parque Pinzón — K8-C23 • Maldonado Park — Parque Maldonado — C10-C30 • La Esperanza Park — Parque La Esperanza • Hoyo del Trigo Park — Parque Hoyo del Trigo — C22-K12 Northern Sector • English name — Spanish name — Address • St. Agnes' Church — Iglesia de Santa Inés — C42-A Norte • Hunzahúa Well — Pozo de Hunzahúa — A Norte, UPTC • Indigenous Race Monument — Monumento a la raza indígena — La Glorieta • Campus of the Uptc and its natural reserve — Campus de la Uptc y su reserva natural — A Norte, UPTC • Museum of Natural History — Museo de Historia Natural — A Norte, UPTC • Museum of Anthropology — Museo de Antropología — A Norte, UPTC • The Independence Stadium — Estadio de La Independencia — A Olímpica • Olympic Village — Villa Olímpica — A Olímpica

• International Festival of Culture • Holy Week (Semana Santa) • Aguinaldo Boyacense

Main places of interest are: • El Cid • El Virrey • Teatro Boyacá • Cinema Boyacá

Unicentro is a shopping center that features a Jumbo and a Cinemark Theatres among many other stores. Viva, a brand of Shopping Centers of Grupo Éxito.

• Plaza de Mercado del Norte • Plaza de Mercado del Sur

Relative to its small size, Tunja has been important in providing education. A large part of its population are students between high school and university. Tunja has a considerable number of colleges, among these is the College of Boyacá, the first public school in the territories of Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama and Colombia, established when these countries were part of Gran Colombia. It was founded on 20 October 1822 by Vice President Francisco de Paula Santander. Among the most important schools are: • Colegio de Boyacá • Institucion Educativa San Jeronimo Emiliani • Colegio Salesiano Maldonado • Colegio INEM Carlos Arturo Torres • Colegio de la Presentación • Gimnasio Campestre del Norte. • Colegio Municipal Silvino Rodríguez • Escuela Normal Superior Santiago de Tunja. • Escuela Normal Femenina "Leonor Álvarez Pinzón" • Colegio Los Angeles • Colegio Militar Juan José Rondón • Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Rosario • Colegio Gustavo Rojas Pinilla • Colegio Andino • Colegio American School Saint Frances • Country Bilingual School

Tunja's major university, the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (Uptc), was founded by General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, and is one of the public universities in Colombia. Other universities are: • University of Boyaca • Universidad Santo Tomás • Escuela Superior de Administración Pública E.S.A.P. • Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD) • Fundacion Universitaria Juan de Castellanos • Corporación Universitaria Remington (CUR-Cread Boyacá) • Universidad Antonio Nariño • Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Colombia • Instituto Universitario de la Música y las Artes

The city has two professional football teams: Boyacá Chico and Patriotas F.C. The teams play in the Colombian Professional Football A league. They play their games at La Independencia Stadium in the north of the city. The stadium was rebuilt for the Copa Libertadores 2009, expanding capacity to 20,630 spectators and meeting FIFA specifications. The city organized the 2008 South American U-20 Futsal Cup in which Brazil was awarded as the championship. Colombia secured the fourth position in the tournament. The city has a professional basketball team called Patriotas that plays in the Saludcoop Invitational Cup. This team plays its matches in the Municipality Colosseum that has a capacity of up to 5,000 spectators.

• Jair Bernal, former professional cyclist • Iván Casas, professional cyclist • Francisca Josefa de la Concepción, Criollo nun • Pedro Antonio Herrera, professional cyclist • José Ibáñez, former professional cyclist • Diego Molano Vega, politician • Gustavo Nieto Roa, film director • Juan Carlos Pinzón, ambassador of Colombia to the United States • Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, former president of Colombia • Diego de Torres y Moyachoque, 16th century mestizo cacique of Turmequé

•: São Paulo •: Guayaquil •: Jyväskylä •: Dublin •: Catania •: Potenza (2009) •: Tapachula •: Juliaca •: Cádiz •: Málaga (2013) •: Sevilla •: Toledo (2013) •: Pamplona (2012) •: Popayán (2012) •: San Juan de Pasto •: Valledupar