Tibasosa

The feijoa, sometimes called pineapple guava, is native to the highlands of southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina, and it grows well in this part of Boyaca - Tibasosa has made it the town's entire identity. Shops round the plaza sell feijoa wine, jam, sweets, ice cream, liqueur, dried fruit and preserves, and there is an annual feijoa festival. The plaza itself is colonial with a stone church and arcaded fronts, and the village keeps a quiet, well-kept feel that draws weekenders from Sogamoso and Duitama. Ruana wool goods from nearby Nobsa are also sold. The area is close to the Sogamoso valley, historically the religious centre of the Muisca and the site of their sun temple.

History

Before the Spanish conquest Tibasosa was part of the Muisca Confederation, ruled by a cacique loyal to the Tundama and to the iraca, the high priest of Sugamuxi, and its Chibcha name is read as chief of the domain; Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada entered the Iraca valley in 1537 on his way to the Sun Temple. On 19 December 1778 the viceroy Manuel Antonio Flórez decreed the founding of the town, and settlers drawn by the climate, among them families of Spanish origin, built the two-storey balconied houses that still stand; in 1781 it joined the Comunero movement of Socorro and San Gil, and on 30 March 1820 Simón Bolívar passed through on his way to Santa Rosa de Viterbo (Wikipedia, Tibasosa).

What you'll find

• Feijoa in every form - wine, jam, ice cream, liqueur, preserves.
• A colonial plaza - stone church and arcades.
• An annual feijoa festival - the town's main event.
• Ruana wool goods - sold in from nearby Nobsa.

When to go

Year round; the festival is the peak. Half a day.

Before you go

It is small and the fruit is the whole proposition. Weekends bring visitors from the nearby cities. Feijoa is an acquired taste for many. Nights are cold at this altitude.

Nearby

Nobsa is north; Sogamoso and Iza are south-east.

Key facts