Sunday in La Candelaria, a photo from Bogota, North

Photographer's Note

Bogotá - Sunday in La Candelaria

This is probably the most familiar picture of Bogotá:
the Catedral Primada de Colombia (Primary Cathedral of Colombia) on the Plaza Bolívar in the district La Candelaria.

It stands on the spot where Bogotás first ever Mass has been celebrated in 1538.
Here the construction of a church began in 1553. Later this became a cathedral that has been levelled by an earthquake in 1785. The construction of the building that you see on the picture began in 1805.

More to the right you see the Capilla del Sagrario (Sacristy Chapel). It is a separate building and not exactly next door to the cathedral but it actually belongs to it.

Sunday is very interesting to visit La Candelaria. There's a lot of people on the street and tourists are inferior in number to the local population who makes it an enjoyable day. See also the picture in the workshop.

The cheerful atmosphere made me think of a people who finally had a future perspective after a war that lasted more than 50 years. Therefore I was surprised to hear that a small majority had rejected the peace proposal with the FARC in the recent referendum.
However, this wasnt a vote against peace. But the wounds of the terrible decades of war dont make it easy to forgive and to grant political rights to those who have committed crimes against humanity during all those years.
Meanwhile, the government has also begun peace talks with the other rebel group, the ELN.

Nevertheless, I want to say that during my journey Colombians explained me several times that the cruelties have not only been committed by the rebels. The army and various paramilitary groups were also guilty at crimes.
My previous picture showed a homeless man in Bogotá. Years ago, during the war, the army and paramilitary groups received a certain sum of money for each corpse of a killed rebel. I heard stories about homeless people who were picked up at night and been carried far out of town. There they were forced to put on a rebel uniform after which they were shot

The fact that the country is coming out of such a terrible time, had probably an impact on the voting in the referendum.

holmertz, papagolf21, jhm, Royaldevon, alvaraalto, carlo62, kordinator, ourania, PiotrF, danos, adramad, lucasgalodoido, macjake, cornejo oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (101880) 2016-10-22 1:47

Hello Paul,
You show us two fine photos and I like them both. This one shows more of the beauty of the city so it was a reasonable choice for official upload. The quality of both is faultless. Like most others I was surprised at the outcome of the referendum. It seems that people in the countryside who had actually suffered from the war voted in a clear majority to accept the peace agreement, whereas the protected city people were against it.
Kind regards,
Gert

Tue (91450) 2016-10-22 2:30

Hallo Paul,
Het plein geeft een heel levendige sfeer aan de foto dankzij alle mensen in hun felgekleurde kleding. De statige kerkarchitectuur met daarachter weer de heuvels vormt een prachtige achtergrond en het zachte licht is bijzonder prettig.
Lars

papagolf21 (152605) 2016-10-22 3:10

Bonjour, cher Paul,
Merci de nous faire voyager d'une si belle façon.
Je prends grand plaisir ŕ la découverte.
Encore mille mercis.
Amitiés.
Philippe

mkamionka (73198) 2016-10-22 4:31

Hi Paul,
wow, this is beautiful and it does look familiar.
Amazing square with no skyscrapers behind which makes it feel like a small town in the mountains :)
The hills indeed add a lovely touch here. And the sky was attractive too.
I see you have enhanced the saturation which makes people to stand out from the surrounding.
I like touristy places so this would be probably my favourite place in Bogota,
Excellent work,
M

Sergiom (117241) 2016-10-22 7:18

Bonjour Paul,

Trčs belle place de l'Amérique du sud. Vibrante d'animation et de couleurs en mouvements. Trčs belle cathédrale trčs bien placée dans le cadre. Superbe lumičre et beau ciel.

Bon samedi

Serge

Royaldevon (85576) 2016-10-22 9:57

Hello Paul,

There are people everywhere and yet the scene is one of calm, gentle interaction.
I love such a warm, social scene.
It is a far cry from the reports that we hear from this country and some details that you report.
The building is quite magnificent and a suitable b/g against which to show these happy crowds.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (220443) 2016-10-22 11:37

Ciao Paul, great view of fantastic cathedral, lovely composition with a lot of people, superb sky, wonderful natural colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good, week end, ciao Silvio

alvaraalto (42804) 2016-10-22 13:21

Dag Paul
Deze mooie foto en goede bijpassende tekst laten zien hoe lang Europa al in dit gebied aanwezig is.
Aantrekkelijke scene met al deze mensen op het plein. Het is duidelijk een frisse dag ondanks de zonneschijn.
Groet Rob

carlo62 (81265) 2016-10-22 14:34

Ciao Paul
la piazza č molto grande e molto affollata, anche la foto del ws ci mostra le molte persone presenti.
La cattedrale č una delle piů famose del sud America, ma č anche una delle piů belle.
Ottima la tua foto, ben composta e con una vista molto ampia per apprezzare al meglio anche il contesto.
Buona domenica
Carlo

lousat (138521) 2016-10-22 15:11

Hi Paul,it could be nice to be there in the Sunday,it's a great fest in and over the first colombian church,a lot of people,colors and life,original way to show us this famous place,i like it! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

kordinator (8738) 2016-10-23 1:37

Dear Paul
Fantastic places scene from square of Bogota.
A very lively scene with all those peoples in front of wonderful Cathedral.
A wonderful postcard from Colombia.
Visually famous, technically perfect image.
Kind regards
Saa

jhm (211734) 2016-10-23 3:19

Dag Paul,

Bogota een stad met een minder goede reputatie qua veiligheid, maar waar is het nu nog veilig op de dag van vandaag.
Beide foto hebben hun waarde, maar de hoofd foto blijft voor mij de mooiste, met de voorgevel van de kerk achter het plein.
Ook de vele mensen zijn een mooie aanvulling.
Heel mooi foto werk Paul, bedankt.

Groeten uit een zonnig Vlaanderen,
John

ourania (51103) 2016-10-23 5:57

Hello Paul,
your note is very interesting, the atrocities of civil wars are always terrible and disheartening, Colombia wasn't an exception at all it seems. Your picture contrasts the facts and the atmosphere of your note completely. It's colourful, vivid and peaceful, sunny, enjoyable and inviting. I appreciate the thorough way in which you are presenting the views and the History of the country. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great afternoon,
Ourania

PiotrF (54246) 2016-10-23 7:38

Hello Paul,
Beautiful picture from Bogota, great view of cathedral.A good point of view,excellent perspective and depth. Good composition and quality.
Nice presentation.
Regards
Piotr

Nicou (193806) 2016-10-23 8:18

Hello

superbe vue et église quelle belle place et image quelle compo et église superbe captage ce rendu ocre au sol quelle vue.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

danos (110407) 2016-10-23 9:46

Hello Paul,
nice the panoramic view of the 'La Candelaria' with the old Cathedral to dominating the scene.The lot of people enjoying their presentation there ,make the image even more effectvtive.Well done.

Regards,danos

sacimar (38173) 2016-10-23 11:44

Hello Paul,

beautiful and sunny day to enjoy this place, it is a good picture of the Cathedral of Bogota, well seen,

Best regards,

Sergio

rychem (72187) 2016-10-23 23:13

A beautiful photo of the large square, the cathedral is very attractive and the atmosphere of this sunday midday is so calm and pleasant
regards Ryszard

gervaso (28177) 2016-10-24 2:55

Hello, Paul!

Beautiful postcard from Bogotá, with the famous cathedral captured with very good light and colors, and all the people at the square giving more colors and life to the image! Wonderful job!

adramad (72524) 2016-10-24 8:24

Hello Paul.
Wonderful prospect of this great plaza, which highlights the imposing facade of the cathedral, very nice situation with the green of the mountains behind, all these people gives a lively and vital touch.
Very good color that highlights the image.
Magnificent management brightness and sharpness, to enjoy the details.
Very well done. I like it.
Have a good start to the week.
Best wishes.
Luis.

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2016-10-24 15:03

Olá Paul,
bonita imagem dessa praça lotada nesse domingo, a arquitetura da Igreja é bonita também. Boas cores e composiçăo. Belo trabalho.
Parabéns e Abraço,
Lucas

macjake (98256) 2016-10-25 13:15

Hi Paul
we don't get to see many shots from Columbia from our TE members, so this is a great addition for the site.

Perhaps I should put Columbia on my travel list???? what do you think? would you recommend it?

a very attractive scene with the historic buildings and open square with lots of activity. Keep posting these.
cheers
craig

Cricri (176) 2016-10-26 10:41

Bonjour Paul
Bon POV sur la cathédrale, une architecture intéressante bien mis en valeur par la lumičre, excellente netteté, couleurs , plaisante place trčs animées
belle soirée
cricri

emka (157280) 2016-10-27 14:28

Hello Paul, Very interesting note accompany these two pictures. You write about the horrible things. How cruel is this world. Hopefulkl this bad time is over and the people will have better future.
Nice picture from Bogota. The square is big, the people are enjoying sunny weather on Sunday. The architectire looks typical for South America. There is some similarity to Cusco.

WArm regrads Malgo

serp2000 (47063) 2016-10-30 4:41

Hi, Paul,
I know, the North and South Americas took the architecture styles from old good Europa. So this Colombian square looks like a place somewhere in Spain or Italy, for example.
Good presentation of the capital. I am surprised, they have so warm jackets for this tropical country.
Thanks for so interesting note, I still remember the words Le cartel de Medellín, Pablo Escobar etc.

Best wishes,
Serghei

cornejo (61504) 2016-10-30 12:38

Hi Paul, very good picture of this interesting public space with interesting buildings in background, very well captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, depth, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly realized, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good night and happy start to the week.
Warm greetings from southern Spain.
Angel.

cristina1 (1165) 2016-11-06 2:41

Hello,

very characteristic the Cathedrals in South America built by the Spanish.
I like the daily life of this people.
Great pov and good colours.
Bye bye
Cristina