Iglesia de San Francisco
Iglesia de San Francisco
4.5
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Built in 1556, Bogota's oldest surviving church has a beautiful ornate interior.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
760 reviews
Excellent
445
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250
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60
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3
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Clebicar
Belo Horizonte, MG5,840 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Church of San Francisco is a legacy of the Friars Minor who arrived in Santa Fe from Bogotá in 1550 (at the time, the New Kingdom of Granada). The construction of this temple, located a few steps from Santander Square and Museo del Oro, was completed in 1611. Inside is the main altar dating from the 17th century. A must-visit spot for anyone passing by. I highly recommend it.
Written March 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FVIG
Fort-de-France, Martinique374 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
From the outside the church appears quite modest, but the interior contains a magnificent altarpiece dating from the 16th century. There are also many works of art dating from this era. The fairly small windows and the dark atmosphere contribute to this atmosphere of contemplation. It’s a shame that some people don’t respect the signs prohibiting taking photos to disturb the peace.
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ysamur F
Los Angeles, CA113 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
St. Francis most likely would hate this church because of it sheer grandiosity. However, bypassing that small detail, this church forces you to pause. The interior is magnificent contrasting with the understated Franciscan style exterior. Once inside you are conducted to a view of paradise and the company of the blessed. Everywhere your ayes wander there’s a retablo with magnificent sculptures and gold everywhere. Yet, with all that beauty; is the main altar retablo in its golden majesty the one detail that will take your breath away. The church deserves its own visit due to the exquisite interior and serenity. It is surprising how despite all the gold and ornate arquitecture; one can sit and contemplate the vision of heaven portrayed in the main altar. A highly recommended visit. For me as a scholar of religion this church made my list of on of the most majestic in the Western Hemisphere.
Written July 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff Morrison
Edmonton, Canada14 contributions
Jan 2022
I loved this place. It felt like you were taken back to colonial times. You could feel the devotion of the place. It’s a church, not a museum, and there is a strong spirit to be felt there. Serene and beautiful.
Written January 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria W
Houston, TX126 contributions
Aug 2019
This church is amazing to visit and see the artistic decor and ornate gold on the inside. It is still an active church with masses daily. There are signs saying no photos, but it was unclear if that is all the time, or just during the services since that is when I visited.
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WImom
Fond du Lac, WI2,275 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Free to enter. Unable to find hours that they are open online but appear to have frequent Masses that are indicative of open hours (Mon-Sat, 7AM, 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 5PM, 6PM; Sun Masses are 8, 9, 10, 11, noon, 1, 5, 6, and 7PM). No photos are allowed. There is a security person that circulates and does not allow photos, even without a flash. I managed two photos until I was asked to stop. The main altar is an elaborate 17th century gilded altarpiece that wraps around the front of the church. There is a side altar to the right of the main altar that is very elaborate also. Along the sides of the church are many wood carved panels depicting religious scenes. The ceiling is very pretty also-green and gold Mudejar decorated. Note the statue of Jesus (immediately to your right as you enter the church in an alcove setting so easy to miss) that has life-like hair (see photo). Legend states that the statue miraculously grew hair and continues to this day. There are beggars outside of the church entrance. Very near the Gold Museum.
Written May 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VivaMexicoLiz
Mexico City, Mexico551 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
San Francisco was established in the 16th Century but much of the beautiful interior was developed in the later colonial period. This is an active church, so visitors are asked not to take photographs. When I visited most of the light came through a few high windows, and since it was a cloudy day the church was quite dark. If you can visit when the altar is lighted you'll see more, but even if you just stop in for a few minutes it's a visit worth making. They have thoughtfully provided labels identifying the figures on many altars. Don't forget to check out the choir area and the interesting ceiling. You're very close to San Francisco if you visit the Gold Museum-- there are extensive street repairs in process so you can only cross in a couple of designated areas. Be sure to watch for bicycles.
Written August 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guillermo Perdomo
Bogota, Colombia15 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
From the outside it looks like an humble little country town chapel, lost in the middle of busy dowtown Bogota. But as soon as you cross the door you will be inmersed in the most outstanding explosion of the XVI Century Spanish Baroque. The wood carvings fully covered with gold leaf, the smell of candels burning by hundreds in front of every altar but above all, the dramatism of the bleeding Christ and the mourning Virgin will transport you to the deepest Spanish Colonial times.
Written January 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward B
Boca Raton, FL134 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Located in the center of Bogotá this cathedral was on easy ride from our hotel. No pictures allowed inside which was a bit strange. The church is just stunning on the inside and should be on everyones list of sights to see while in Bogotá.
Written September 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim B
Grapeview, WA1,844 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
As others have noted, the exterior of this church looks very worn but the interior is beautiful. We arrived as they were celebrating a mass so enjoyed listening to the service and music. It is amazing to realize how old this church is, especially with the many newer buildings surrounding it. Reminds you of the foothold the Spaniards had in this part of the world well before the Pilgrims arrived in North America.
Written March 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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