These are the diaries of two lovers whose only place for meeting each other is the entire world.
June 9th, 2011
Fernando Botero Gallery: A MUST VISIT
It is located in the beautiful colonial neighborhood “La Candelaria” (Bogotá, Colombia). We (My boyfriend and I) actually found it by accident while we walked around in one of the many and similar streets of this historical neighborhood. There are many great pieces of this world known painter and multifaceted Colombian sculptor in the gallery.
As soon as we entered the place, I noticed that there were not guides for tourists or the public in general. So, this obviously has its pros and cons because the spectator has the option to make his/ her own tour, see what (s)he really wants, and take his/her time to observe each one of the paintings. Therefore, people can freely admire many of his works from his very first drafts to his striking version of paintings such as “La Monalisa”.
On the other hand, it’s not that good for people who don’t know very well his artistic style, and that’s when you need an expert on the topic to tell you about his background, his style, the way he sees the world, and how he transforms what he thinks into art. In fact, what I just said happened to my boyfriend. I tried to explain him, but it was not an easy task when you are talking about art. Finally, he told me he didn’t understand the concept of the paintings, and why did Botero choose that specific style?.
As a final point, it was an enlightening experience for me because I had seen a previous work of him about Colombian ”guerrillas” and the bloody period known as “La Violencia”, in the Modern Art Museum of Barranquilla (aka MAMBO), which totally differs from what I saw there.That made me realize how versatile Botero is. Anyway, I considered that it was a wonderful experience to show my boyfriend another incomprensible concept of art and why not?, another surrealist view of Colombia.
Self-portrait: Fernando Botero.
June 6th, 2011
Set back from one corner of the main square is the church and monastery of Santo Domingo. Completed in 1549, Santo Domingo was presented by the pope, a century or so later, with an alabaster statue of Santa Rosa de Lima.
(Mon-Sat 9am-12.30pm & 3-6pm, Sun & holidays 9am-1pm; $2).
June 6th, 2011
Directly across the square, the Municipal Building is a typical example of a half-hearted twentieth-century attempt at something neocolonial. Brilliant white on the outside, its most memorable features are permanent groups of heavily armed guards and the odd armoured car waiting conspicuously for some kind of action. Inside, the Pinacoteca Museum (same hours) houses a selection of Peruvian paintings, notably those of Ignacio Merino from the nineteenth century. In the library ( la biblioteca) you can also see the city’s Act of Foundation and Declaration of Independence.
(Mon-Fri 9am-1pm; free)
June 6th, 2011
There are free guided tours from the visitor’s entrance in Jirón de la Unión (daily 10am), which last a couple of hours and include changing of the guard; to get on one you have to register in the office on the fifth floor of the building opposite the side-entrance. The tour includes the imitation Baroque interior of the palace, and its rather dull collection of colonial and reproduction furniture.
June 6th, 2011
Today the heart of the old town is around the Plaza Mayor - until a few years ago known as the Plaza de Armas or “armed plaza” (Plaza Armada) as the early conquistadores called it.
June 6th, 2011
Names:Lima Cathedral; La Catedral
Type of site:Catholic cathedral
Location:East side of Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru
Phone:01/427-9647
Hours:Mon-Sat 10-4:30
Cost:S/10
June 6th, 2011
The interior of Lima cathedral is attractive, with a delicate vaulted ceiling and a checkerboard floor. It is embellished with some impressive baroque furnishings, the most notable of which are the intricately carved choir stalls. But perhaps the highlight of a visit to the cathedral is the colorfully mosaiced chapel containing the tomb of Francisco Pizarro(1475-1541), Spanish conquistador, conqueror of the Inca Empire and founder of the city of Lima. There is also a small museum of religious art and artifacts.What to See
June 6th, 2011
Lima Cathedral is an immense baroque cathedral originally built in 1564. In addition to its fine baroque art, it is best known for being designed by Francisco Pizarro (who conquered the Incas and founded Lima) and for containing his tomb.
June 6th, 2011
