Learn about Barichara

Barichara is a small colonial town in the Santander department of north-central Colombia, widely considered one of the most beautiful towns in the country. Whitewashed adobe and sandstone buildings, red-tile roofs, and cobblestone streets line a compact hillside town center that looks today largely as it did centuries ago -- a result of the economic slowdown that spared it from the newer construction that changed many other Colombian towns through the 20th century.

Barichara has been formally protected as a national monument, and today draws a mix of weekend visitors from Bogotá, artists, and a growing community of long-term expatriate and retiree residents drawn to its quiet pace. The town is known for its stoneworking and guitar-making traditions, both still practiced by local artisans whose workshops are open to visitors.