El Socorro

In March 1781 new taxes imposed by the Spanish administration provoked a rising here that spread across the region - the Comunero revolt, in which some thousands marched on Bogota and forced concessions that were then revoked once the crowd dispersed, with several leaders executed afterwards. Manuela Beltran, who according to the account tore down the tax proclamation in the plaza, is the figure most associated with the start. The town keeps cobbled streets and a large stone cathedral built in the nineteenth century, disproportionate to a town of this size and never entirely finished to the original plan. A house museum covers the revolt. It sits on the main road and is often passed through on the way to San Gil and Barichara.

What you actually see

• The plaza where the 1781 revolt began - over new colonial taxes.
• A very large stone cathedral - out of scale with the town.
• Cobbled colonial streets - through the old centre.
• A museum of the Comunero rising - and its aftermath.

When to go

December to March. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The main highway runs through and brings traffic and noise. The town is often treated as a stop rather than a stay. Museums keep irregular hours. Labelling is Spanish only.

Nearby

San Gil is north; Barichara is beyond it.