Colombia Travel Bucket List: La Capilla, Boyacá

Welcome to my travel blog! In this special edition, I want to share with you one of the most charming towns in Boyacá: La Capilla. This small municipality is surrounded by green mountains, kind people, and traditions that make it unique. It is the perfect place to relax, discover local culture, and enjoy beautiful landscapes.

A Little of Its History

Its name comes from the La Capilla doctrinal temple. Named a parish in 1793, it was founded by Spanish origin.The name "LA CAPILLA" comes from the apparition of the Virgin of La Candelaria (near the La Gusba stream), and a chapel (San Miguel Chapel) was built in her honor, hence the current name of the municipality. This chapel dates back to the colonial era and depended on the Tenza parish doctrinal chapel. There was a small chapel on the site where masses were celebrated at certain times of the year, hence the name "La Capilla de Tenza." This chapel is still preserved under the name "La Capilla San Miguel."

The main industry was pottery, supplying pottery and clay tiles to all the towns in the region. Fique sacks, hats, and flower baskets were also made.
Its establishment as a municipality took place on December 23, 1793, during the government of Viceroy José de Ezpeleta y Galdeano, whose original name was La Capilla de Tenza. Its first mayor was Juan Antonio Díaz. On February 6, 1821, the town's inhabitants paid a grand tribute to the Liberator Simón Bolívar, who spent the night in the town.