All ethnology museums to visit in Colombia

Explore the cultural diversity and heritage at 12 ethnology museums in Colombia. These museums offer insights into the traditions, customs, and ways of life of various communities.

Are you interested in learning about different cultures and their histories? Here are the ethnology museums to visit in Colombia:

  1. Gold Museum1

    Gold Museum

     Bogota
    The Museum of Gold, located in Bogotá, Colombia, is a popular destination for tourists, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually. It is renowned for its extensive collection of pre-Columbian gold and other metal alloys, making it a significant cultural and historical site in the country.
  2. National Museum of Colombia2

    National Museum of Colombia

     Bogota
    The National Museum of Colombia, known as Museo Nacional de Colombia in Spanish, holds the distinction of being the oldest museum in the country. It was established in 1823 by Francisco de Paula Santander, who was the former President of the Republic of New Granada. This historical significance adds to the rich cultural experience that the museum offers.
  3. Gold Museum3

    Gold Museum

     Cartagena
    This museum, consisting of three salons, exhibits mainly coins and golden artefacts of pre-Columbian cultures.
  4. Colonial Art Museum of Bogotá4

    Colonial Art Museum of Bogotá

     Bogota
    The Colonial Art Museum of Bogota, situated in Bogota, Colombia, was inaugurated in 1942. This museum is housed in a 17th-century building that previously served as a Jesuit-founded university and later, after their expulsion in 1767, the Royal Library, which became the National Library of Colombia in 1828.
  5. 5

    Museo de Trajes

     Bogota
    Costumes have always been a part of cultural identity. You can see the traditional ones the Indians wore as well as peasants (campesinos).
  6. Museo de Bogotá6

    Museo de Bogotá

     Bogota
    The Museo de Bogotá, located in the historic center of the city in the La Candelaria neighborhood, is the city museum of the Colombian capital. This museum is a significant cultural institution that provides insights into the history and development of Bogotá.
  7. 7

    Cesar Academy of History

     Perímetro Urbano Valledupar
    Valledupar, a city in Colombia, has a rich history that dates back to the pre-Columbian era. It was originally inhabited by Amerindian tribes, specifically the Chimila tribe of the Chibcha linguistic family. These tribes had developed their own societies before the arrival of the Spanish. This historical background provides a fascinating insight into the early inhabitants of the region.
  8. University of Antioquia Museum8

    University of Antioquia Museum

     Medellín
    The University of Antioquia Museum is a public cultural institution that is situated on the campus of the University of Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia. It is a significant cultural center that houses over forty thousand museum objects spread across four collections. The museum is one of the most visited in Medellín, offering a variety of programs and activities that enhance its educational, cultural, and social functions.
  9. 9

    Museo Graciliano Arcila Vélez (Itagüí)

     Itagüí
    The Graciliano Arcila Vélez Community Museum is a socio-cultural initiative that forms part of the strategies designed by the SIPAH Corporation. With the support of the local community, the museum aims to foster a sense of ownership and appreciation for the cultural and natural heritage of the region.
  10. 10

    Museo del Oro Nariño

     Pasto
    The Museo del Oro Nariño houses an impressive collection of 432 artifacts made of gold, ceramics, lithics, shell, wood, and textiles. These pieces are representative of the Tusa and Capulí cultures, providing a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of these pre-Hispanic societies.
  11. 11

    Museo Arqueológico de Soacha

     Soacha
    The Museo Arqueológico de Soacha Nueva Esperanza, located in Comuna 2 Soacha Central, is a museum specializing in pre-Hispanic themes. It has been open to the public since 2018, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the rich pre-Hispanic history of the region.
  12. 12

    Anexo : Museos de Florencia (Caquetá)

     Perímetro Urbano Florencia
    Florencia, a city in the Caquetá region, is home to several museums that hold local and regional significance. These museums primarily focus on themes related to the history of the Caquetá department, offering visitors a deep dive into the region's past and cultural heritage.