Villa de Leyva – a cIty frozen in time

Every Colombian we talked to about our visit put this town at the top of the must see-list, so we did. It’s best described as a Levenworth WA or Mackinaw Island – on steroids. Here’s how the guidebook sells it:

“One of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia…was declared a national monument in 1954. This photogenic village has been preserved in its entirety with cobblestone roads (streets) and whitewashed buildings.”

And these aren’t small cobblestones – see below. No rollerblading or high heals.

Really, all of the streets – no relief. A slow go for vehicles.
This was a fluke to have no people in the shot. The town was packed for the weekend and the holiday. Popular getaway for Bogota dwellers. Small craft shops and countless restaurants line the 10 or so blocks of commercial area

Locals also note that the town is pursuing World Heritage Site designation, and prohibiting vehicles in the city core. Traffic was an issue with one wide lane being shared by 2-way traffic and pedestrians.

This is a side street, and there are steps between myself and the cars. Maybe it’s long term parking.