Ráquira

Ráquira, is a municipality and town in Boyacá Department, Colombia, part of the subregion of the Ricaurte Province. Ráquira is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and the urban center at an altitude of 2,150 metres (7,050 ft). It borders Tinjacá and Sutamarchan in the north, Guachetá, Cundinamarca in the south, in the east Sáchica and Samacá and in the west San Miguel de Sema and Lake Fúquene.[1]

Ráquira
Municipality and town
Chuch of Ráquira
Flag
Location of the municipality and town of Ráquira in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country Colombia
DepartmentBoyacá Department
ProvinceRicaurte Province
Founded18 October 1580
Founded byFrancisco de Orejuela
Government
 • MayorJosé Hernán Sierra Buitrago
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town233 km2 (90 sq mi)
Elevation
2,150 m (7,050 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town13,588
 • Density58/km2 (150/sq mi)
 • Urban
3,425
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

In Chibcha, Ráquira means "Village of the pans".[2]

History

The area of Ráquira was inhabited by the Muisca in the centuries before the Spanish conquest of the central highlands of the Colombian Andes. Already in those times Ráquira was famous for its ceramics due to the clay of the area.[3][4]

In March 1537 conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada crossed the valley around Ráquira. Modern Ráquira was founded on October 18, 1580 by friar Francisco de Orejuela.[1]

Economy

About three quarters of the economy of Ráquira is centered on the handcrafts. Other economical activities are agriculture, livestock farming and mining.[1]

Tourism

Ráquira is famous in Colombia for its colony of artisans, who produce traditional northern Andean pottery & hand-woven goods. The Sunday market is especially a popular time to visit. Ráquira is also known for its colorful houses that contrast with the famous nearby town of Villa de Leyva. [5]

  • Central square and church Ráquira
  • Church
  • Church
  • Church interior
  • Rural area of Ráquira
  • Farm in rural area
  • Road in rural area
  • Ráquira River
Panorama of central square and park Ráquira

References
  1. (in Spanish) Official website Ráquira
  2. (in Spanish) Etymology Ráquira - Excelsio.net
  3. (in Spanish) Muisca history and ceramics in Ráquira
  4. (in Spanish) Ceramics of Ráquira because of the clay present there
  5. Crafts in Ráquira

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