Popayán

Popayán
Popayán
	Downtown Popayán with Puracé volcano in the background.
	Flag Seal
	Nickname: "The White City"
	Location of the City and municipality of Popayán in the Cauca Department.
Country	Colombia
Departamento	Cauca
Foundation	13 January 1537
Government
• Mayor	Ramiro Navia
Area
• Total	483.11 km2 (186.53 sq mi)
Elevation	1,737 m (5,699 ft)
Population (2005 census)[1]
• Total	258,653
• Density	535.3/km2 (1,386/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (not observed)
Website	http://www.popayan.gov.co

Popayán is a municipality and def. is a capital city of the Colombian department of Cauca, with a population of about 215,000 people. It was conquered by Sebastián de Belalcázar on 13 January 1537. It is known as the "white city" because of its beautiful colonial houses. Located at an altitude of 1,737 meters, the city is well-known for its colonial architecture and its contributions to Colombian cultural and political life. The city's Cathedral was home to the Crown of the Andes, a 16th century Marian devotional object featuring emeralds taken from the captured Inca Emperor Atahualpa before its sale to finance local healthcare institutions. More presidents have come from Popayán than any other city in Colombia and it was also home to noted poets, painters, and composers. Here is also located the Universidad del Cauca (est. 1827), one of Colombia's oldest and most distinguished institutions of higher education. Much of the city's original splendor was destroyed on 31 March 1983, when an earthquake toppled many buildings. Though many were rebuilt and repaired, the colonial center still bears ruins and empty lots from the disaster. Nearby is Puracé National Park, a geothermal wonderland of hot springs, waterfalls, and a (currently) inactive volcano from which the park derives its name. The nearest large city is Cali, in the neighbouring department of Valle del Cauca, to the north.

History

The word Popayán comes from a Native American dialect. It means:

Po: Two

Pa: Straw

Yan: Village

Two villages with straw roofs. However there is no straw roofs in town any more although there is plenty of them in the city neighborhood.

There are no records regarding the pre-Hispanic history of the indigenous town of Popayán, but in 13 January 1537 Spanish conqueror Sebastian de Belalcázar came to the conquered town and declared the foundation of Popayán. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Popayán was administered by an appointed governor under the jurisdiction of the royal audiencia, court, of Quito. It was a very important town during the colony because its location between Lima, Quito and Cartagena. Even after the discovery of the Pacific Ocean, Popayán was a transfer point of gold and riches going to Cartagena on its way to Spain. Popayan also served as a colonial mint producing various denominations of the gold Escudo coins and silver Reales from 1760 through 1819; and continued to produce coinage for the new Republic of Colombia after 1826. ^[1] As a result Popayán is one of the most traditional Colombian towns and very rich in Colonial architecture; although in 1983 an earthquake destroyed part of the city. There are several colonial bridges, museums and churches in the town.

Natives populated the town before the conquest. Next to the city there is still a huge mound built by the Indians similar to a pyramid and presently covered by grass. Legend says the inner structure holds richness and gold. Conquistadores settled next to the Indians taking advantage of their good heartiness and cheap labor. Catholicism was offered and taken by the Indians in exchange for their gold and work.

The city is home to an ancient pre-Hispanic pyramid known as El Morro del Tulcán. El Morro was already abandoned when the Spanish first arrived to the city in 1535. Analysis of dental samples taken revealed that the individuals buried there probably belonged to the most important social class from their respective Indian society.

Popayán is the city with most Colombian presidents, a total of 17 presidents were born there.

Popayán has been destroyed by several earthquakes. The most recent and the most destructive lasted for eighteen seconds and occurred on 31 March 1983. The reconstruction of the colonial city took more than 10 years and still today it is possible to see some lots that have not been reconstructed. The first earthquake seismic design code was established in Colombia as a consequence of this earthquake.

External links

References

^ Krause "World Coins 1701-1800" 4th Ed and "1801-1900" 5th Ed, Colin R. Bruce II, Sr. editor

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2°26′N 76°37′W / 2.433°N 76.617°W / 2.433; -76.617

[1] Krause "World Coins 1701-1800" 4th Ed and "1801-1900" 5th Ed, Colin R. Bruce II, Sr. editor

[1]