Heritage
Jardín basilica and main square: history, the 2026 earthquake and visiting
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception fills one whole side of the square and can be seen from every lookout around town. It took over thirty years to raise with stone cut from nearby mountains. In August 2026 an earthquake left it damaged and under review.
- 1918construction begins
- 1980National Monument
- 1985square, National Monument
- 2003minor basilica
Status after the August 2026 earthquake
On August 10, 2026, at 7:34 am, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered in San José del Palmar, Chocó, was felt strongly in the Southwest. Publimetro and Alerta Paisa reported cracks in the basilica and objects fallen from the altar; the towers stayed standing and nobody in town was hurt. The church was placed under technical evaluation and the parish started a repair fund.
Before planning Mass or a visit inside, call the parish: +57 604 845 55 25. The exterior and the square can be visited as usual.
How it was built
Work began on March 20, 1918, driven by Father Juan Nepomuceno Barrera, with plans by Italian architect Giovanni Buscaglione. The stone came from the Serranías area and was dressed by hand. The church opened in 1932, was finished in 1940 and the towers went up between 1942 and 1949. It was declared a National Monument in 1980 and a minor basilica on June 3, 2003.
The main square
The square, paved with stones from the Tapartó river, has been a National Monument since 1985. It is ringed by old houses with painted balconies and filled with colorful wooden chairs where people sit for tinto or beer. On weekends farmers come down from the veredas and the square stays busy until late.
Festivals on the square
- Fiestas de la Rosa, in May.
- Feria del Arte, on the June public holiday weekend.
- Jardín Film Festival, second weekend of September.
- Fiestas de la Inmaculada, first week of December.
On those dates downtown hotels fill fast; check hotels near the square early or look farther out in hosterías. From above, the best photo of the basilica is taken at Cristo Rey. Next to the square are Jardín sweets, and for the town as a whole, things to do in Jardín.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Jardín basilica?
Can you go inside the basilica?
What is special about the square?
Sources
Checked on October 18, 2026. Prices and opening hours change: always confirm with the official source before you travel.