Walking La Albarrada, Mompos

Perhaps the most scenic and evocative stroll along the Magdalena River in Mompos.

Starting from the barrio arriba (upstream) close to the kioskos de Angelita - where you can enjoy an ice cold Aguila before setting off - set off as if you are following the flow of the Magdalena River.

This stroll should take in some of the most impressive and evocative sights of Mompos.

In under 50 meters you will reach the imposing and impressive Iglesia Santa Barbara. Completed in 1613 it is a striking yellow painted building and you can if you are lucky enough to find them open wander the ornate gardens of the Church and perhaps asking nicely get to climb to the top of the bell tower to snap some unrivalled shots of the town.
- Sticking to the Albarrada and along the river, check out the house on the first corner that runs for the whole block, has no roof and is for sale. Amazingly, the owner has declared that he wants to sell this for 250,000,000 pesos.

Keep walking another block, stop to watch the local boys jumping into the river from the wall, don't be suprised if they start doing flips and somersaults for the camera, and soon you will get to the Portales de La Marquesa.

Originally just two houses the Portales have been divided into four. In the first live the Cabrales family - notable for being an original Mompos family and also for the fact that in July 2008 their daughter married the current President Alvaro Uribe's son in Cartagena.
The final house in the Portales, painted red, is owned the Piñeres Gutierrez family, another original Mompos family and the very same that first welcomed Simon Bolivar into Mompos. Here he was housed while he raised his army containing many Momposinos before marching on Caracas.

Just before you get to the next block along the river wall you will see the Piedra de Bolivar, a stone set up detailing all the dates which Bolivar spent in Mompos. A brief glance tells you all that you need to know - Mompos was an obligatory stop on the route to and from the interior.

Now you'll pass through the Zona Rosa, where bars jostle for clientele on the weekends and blare out varioust types of music from reggaeton to the ubiquitous accordian heavy vallenato sounds.

Reaching the Plaza del Mercado (currently under restoration) you can buy some fruit in the mornings from the chalupa that pulls up here with pineapples or avocadoes or whetever is in season.
Continuing on along the river you'll pass the recommended restaurant Comedor Costeño which serves a mean and affordable set lunch before getting to the market place in front of the Iglesia San Francisco.

Walk finished!

Things to remember and look out for.

'Masonic ironwork around the windows of the colonial houses.

'Kingfishers, egrets, iguanas and hawks that make the riverbank their home.

'The howler monkeys and sloths that frequent the trees near to La Casa Amarilla and the kioskos de Angelita.

First posted by emp99 on Aug 3, 2008, 17:43. Last edit by emp99 on Aug 3, 2008, 17:43. Edit this | History.

Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 3, 2008, 23:00:

Fantastic travelguide, thanks!

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

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