Tunja

Tunja
Municipality of Colombia
Top left: night view of Tunja Bolivar Square; top right: House of Tunja Gonzalo Suarez Rendon; middle left: statue of Don Johan do Castellanos in Mayor Square; middle upper left: night view of Tunja Metropolitan Cathedral; middle lower right: the Boyaca Bridge in Boyaca Field; bottom: panorama view of Tunja, from north of hill
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Tunja in the department of Boyacá
Tunja Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 5°32′N 73°22′W / 5.533°N 73.367°W / 5.533; -73.367Coordinates: 5°32′N 73°22′W / 5.533°N 73.367°W / 5.533; -73.367
Country	Colombia
Department	Boyacá
Province	Central Boyacá Province
Founded	6 August 1539
Established	March 29, 1541
Founded by	Gonzalo Suárez Rendón
Government
• Mayor	Pablo Emilio Cepeda Novoa (2016-2019)
Area
• Municipality of Colombia	121.49 km2 (46.91 sq mi)
• Urban	13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation	2,820 m (9,250 ft)
Population (2016)
• Municipality of Colombia	191,878
• Density	1,600/km2 (4,100/sq mi)
• Urban	184,080
• Metro	243,330
	[1]
Demonym(s)	Tunjano
Postal code	150001-150009
Area code(s)	57 + 8
Website	Official website (Spanish)
IGAC - DANE - DIAN.

Muisca
Topics
Agriculture Architecture Art Astronomy Calendar Cuisine Economy Mummies Music Muysccubun Mythology Numerals Religion Research Collections Scholars Sites Warfare Women
Geography
Flora & fauna Altiplano Bogotá savanna Tenza Valley
The Salt People
Nemocón Zipaquirá
Main neighbours
Guane Muzo Panche
History & timeline
Prehistory Herrera Period Muisca Confederation Bacatá Hunza Sugamuxi Tundama Spanish conquest Gonzalo Hernán Others

Tunja (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtuŋxa]) is a city on the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, in the region known as the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, 130 km northeast of Bogotá. In 2012 it had an estimated population of 181,407 inhabitants.^[1] It is the capital of Boyacá department and the Central Boyacá Province. Tunja is an important educational centre of known universities. In the time before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, Tunja was called Hunza and was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors on August 20, 1537 upon zaque Quemuenchatocha and founded by the Spanish on August 6, 1539, exactly one year after the former southern capital Bacatá. The city hosts the most remaining Muisca architecture: Hunzahúa Well, Goranchacha Temple and Cojines del Zaque.

Tunja is a tourist destination, especially for religious colonial architecture, with the Casa Fundador Gonzalo Suárez Rendón as oldest remnant.^[2] 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.

Demographics and geography

Tunja has a population of approximately 180,000 inhabitants and is located in central Colombia. The city centre is at an elevation of 2,820 metres (9,250 ft) above sea level.

Climate

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.

History

Pre-Columbian era

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 a.d., the territory was inhabited by the Muisca, who spoke Chibcha and emigrated from Central America through Panama to the Andean Region.^[3] 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.

First Muisca era

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 zaque ("great lord", the same meaning as zipa who ruled from Bacatá), 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.^[4]

Quemuenchatocha

Nemequene

Tomb of Gonzalo Suárez Rendón

Last Muisca era (1490–1539)

Saguamanchica, with 50,000 soldiers, decided on a massive attack on zaque Michuá,^[5] 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 zaque, Quemuenchatocha, was installed, during the tense truce between Bacatá and Hunza.

In 1514, Quemuenchatocha found out about the expansionist intentions of the new zipa 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 Quemuenchatocha got a truce whose terms would end when the Spanish arrived. When Quemuenchatocha 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 invaders 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.

Hispanic Era (1539-1811)

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.^[6]

Modern Tunja was founded nearly two years later, on August 6, 1539, by captain Gonzalo Suárez Rendón, sent by Hernán Pérez de Quesada, brother of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada.^[7]

Security and living conditions

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.^[8][9] It ranked 7 with respect to the most dangerous city (with 128 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants). According to other sources, this value is four times lower than the national average.^[10] Tunja is an example of a safe city.^[11]

Northern zone

Emerald Quarter

Bolivar Square, Downtown

Train station, the historic center DHC Tunja

San Agustin Convent

Boyaca Bridge in Tunja, the site where Colombian independence was won

Tourism

Relevant historical and touristic sites

The streets are named according to 472^[12] and Google Maps^[13] nomenclatures — (C: calle), (K: carrera), (S: aouth), (E: east), (A: ave).

Southern Sector

Eastern Sector

Downtown

Northern Sector

Festivals

• International Festival of Culture^[15]
• Holy Week (Semana Santa)^[16]
• Aguinaldo Boyacense^[17]

Shopping

Downtown

Main places of interest are:

• El Cid
• El Virrey
• Teatro Boyacá
• Cinema Boyacá

Shopping malls

Unicentro is a shopping center that features a Jumbo and a Cinemark Theatres among many other stores.

Traditional markets

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

Education

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 amount 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
• 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

Universities

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

Sports

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.

Born in Tunja

• Winner Anacona, professional cyclist
• 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

Sister cities

•  Brazil: São Paulo
•  Ecuador: Guayaquil
•  Finland: Jyväskylä
•  Ireland: Dublin
•  Italy: Catania
•  Italy: Potenza^[18] (2009)
•  Mexico: Tapachula
•  Peru: Juliaca
•  Spain: Cádiz
•  Spain: Málaga^[19] (2013)
•  Spain: Sevilla
•  Spain: Toledo^[19] (2013)
•  Colombia: Pamplona^[19] (2012)
•  Colombia: Popayán^[19] (2012)
•  Colombia: San Juan de Pasto
•  Colombia: Valledupar^[20]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tunja.

• (Spanish) News from Tunja at Excelsio
• (Spanish) News from Tunja at Mi Tunja.net

Provinces and Municipalities in Boyacá Department
Central Boyacá Province	Cómbita Cucaita Chíquiza Chivatá Motavita Oicatá Siachoque Samacá Sora Soracá Sotaquirá Toca Tunja Tuta Ventaquemada
Northern Boyacá Province	Boavita Covarachía La Uvita San Mateo Sativanorte Sativasur Soatá Susacón Tipacoque
Western Boyacá Province	Briceño Buenavista Caldas Chiquinquirá Coper La Victoria Maripí Muzo Otanche Pauna Quípama Saboyá San Miguel de Sema San Pablo de Borbur Tununguá
Eastern Boyacá Province	Almeida Chivor Guateque Guayatá La Capilla Somondoco Sutatenza Tenza
Gutiérrez Province	Chiscas El Cocuy El Espino Guacamayas Güicán Panqueba
La Libertad Province	Labranzagrande Pajarito Paya Pisba
Lengupá Province	Berbeo Campohermoso Miraflores Páez San Eduardo Zetaquirá
Márquez Province	Boyacá Ciénaga Jenesano Nuevo Colón Ramiriquí Rondón Tibaná Turmequé Úmbita Viracachá
Neira Province	Chinavita Garagoa Macanal Pachavita San Luis de Gaceno Santa María
Ricaurte Province	Arcabuco Chitaraque Gachantivá Moniquirá Ráquira Sáchica San José de Pare Santa Sofía Santana Sutamarchán Tinjacá Togüí Villa de Leyva
Sugamuxi Province	Aquitania Cuítiva Firavitoba Gámeza Iza Mongua Monguí Nobsa Pesca Sogamoso Tibasosa Tópaga Tota
Tundama Province	Belén Busbanzá Cerinza Corrales Duitama Floresta Paipa Santa Rosa de Viterbo Tutazá
Valderrama Province	Betéitiva Chita Jericó Paz de Río Socotá Socha Tasco
Boyacá Frontier District	Cubará
Boyacá Special Handling Zone	Puerto Boyacá
See also: List of municipalities in Boyacá

Treasures of Colombia
Archaeological sites · Colombia magia salvaje · National monuments · National parks · World Heritage sites
Heritage of humanity Bolívar Cartagena Mompox
National heritage Antioquia Puente de Occidente Atlántico Complejo Cultural de la Antigua Aduana Boyacá Estación de Chiquinquirá Tunja Vargas Swamp Lancers Villa de Leyva Caldas Palacio de la Gobernación de Caldas Salamina Cauca Popayán Tierradentro Cundinamarca Bolívar Square Casa de Moneda de Colombia Estación de la Sabana Museo del Oro Museo Nacional San Francisco Church San Francisco Palace Santa Clara Church and Museum Santamaría Bullring Teatro Colón Huila San Agustín Quindío National Coffee Park Santander San Juan de Girón Valle del Cauca San Francisco Church
Architectural, artistic and archaeological treasures Antioquia Botero Collection Haciendas cafeteras Boyacá Ráquira Caldas Haciendas cafeteras Manizales Cathedral Cundinamarca Haciendas cafeteras Monserrate Sanctuary Quinta de Bolívar Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá Magdalena Ciudad Perdida Haciendas cafeteras Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Nariño Las Lajas Sanctuary Norte de Santander Haciendas cafeteras Quindío Haciendas cafeteras Risaralda Haciendas cafeteras Santander Barichara Haciendas cafeteras Tolima Haciendas cafeteras Valle del Cauca La Ermita Church Hacienda El Paraíso Haciendas cafeteras
National natural parks and treasures Amazonas Amacayacu Amazon River Angostura del Caquetá Araracuara Canyon La Chorrera Putumayo River Raudal de Jirijirimo Antioquia Los Katíos Piedra del Peñol Arauca Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Bolívar Rosario Islands Boyacá Lake Iguaque Páramo de Ocetá Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Siscuinsí Lake Lake Tota Caldas Los Nevados Caquetá Angostura del Caquetá Araracuara Canyon Caño Paujil Chiribiquete Claro River Mirití River Casanare Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Cauca Gorgona Island Lagunas de la Magdalena y de Santiago Nevado del Huila Puracé Volcano Cesar Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Chocó Cabo Marzo Ensenada de Utría Los Katíos Cundinamarca Chingaza Lake Guatavita Rocas de Suesca Guainía Atabapo River Cerros de Mavecure La Guajira Alta Guajira Cabo de la Vela Los Flamencos Sanctuary Salinas de Manaure Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Guaviare Cerro Pintado Chiribiquete Ciudades de Piedra Inírida River Raudales Huila Claro River Estrecho del Magdalena Lagunas de la Magdalena y de Santiago Nevado del Huila Tatacoa Desert Magdalena Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Meta Caño Cristales Chingaza Nariño Cumbal Volcano Galeras Volcano Laguna de la Cocha Laguna Verde del Azufral Putumayo River Sanquianga Norte de Santander Los Estoraques Putumayo Cascada del Indio La Paya Putumayo River Quindío Cocora valley Los Nevados Risaralda Los Nevados San Andrés y Providencia Isla de Providencia Santander Chicamocha Canyon El Gallineral Tolima Cerro Bravo Nevado del Huila Los Nevados Valle del Cauca Farallones de Cali Malpelo Island Vaupés Apaporis River Tunnel Raudal de Jirijirimo Raudal de Yuruparí Vichada El Tuparro
Source: Wills, Fernando et al. 2001. Nuestro patrimonio - 100 tesoros de Colombia - Our heritage - 100 treasures of Colombia, 1-311. El Tiempo.