Puente del Comun

The bridge carries the old road north out of Bogota over the Bogota River and was completed in 1796 in stone with arches and a raised parapet, replacing crossings that washed out. Its name refers to how it was paid for: the funds came from a levy on the common people of the region - el comun - rather than from the colonial treasury, and the name has stuck as a plain statement of who bore the cost. It is one of the older surviving colonial bridges in the country and remained on the main route north for a long time. A modern road runs alongside now, so the old bridge stands as a monument rather than a working crossing, in a small park.

What you'll find

• A stone arched bridge of 1796 - on the old road north.
• A name recording who paid - a levy on the common people.
• A monument rather than a crossing - modern road alongside.
• A small park setting - beside the river.

When to go

Year round. Half an hour.

What to expect

It is a single structure and the visit is brief. Traffic on the adjacent road is heavy. There is little interpretation on site. It suits a stop rather than a trip.

Nearby

Chia is north; Bogota is south.

Key facts