Fusagasugá
Encyclopedia
Fusagasugá is a town and municipality in the department
of Cundinamarca
, in central Colombia
. It is located some forty miles from the capital, Bogotá
. With 122,000 inhabitants, Fusagasugá is one of the largest municipalities in the department. It was founded in 1562 by Spanish
priests.
It borders Pasca
, Arbeláez
, Tibacuy, Silvania and other municipalities of Sumapaz. At its elevation of 5669 feet (1,727.9 m) above sea level, the town's average temperature 68 °F (20°C.)
inhabited the region until the new town was founded by Oídor Bernardino Albornoz between 5–13 February 1562. Not much is known about the previous indigenous residents. During the visit of Oídor Ibarra, there were 759 indigenous people residing in Fusagasugá. When Oídor Aróstequi arrived in February 1760, the indigenous population had dwindled to 85, and there were 644 new settlers divided among 109 families. On February 19, 1760, a small hospital was established near the church and Father Vicente of Fresneda was given charge of it.
During a visit, two officials, Moreno and Escandón, considering the decline in the indigenous population and the corresponding growth in the local settler population, issued a decree on January 8, 1776 that the native villages in the Fusagasugá area, Pandi and Tibacuy, no longer existed, and consolidated them into the present-day city of Pasca
. In the wake of this decision, all streets and plazas in the cities were renamed.
In 1771, on the direction of the mayor of Fusagasugá, the viceroy
Messia de la Zerda ordered the construction of a new avenue, Santafé, which would go from Fusagasugá, passing through the nearby town of Sibaté
. On August 8, 1774, Father Francisco Escobar announced that Fusagasugá was on the road that passed over the mountains and led to the neighboring towns of Apicalá and Melgar
; such that travelers could not reach Bermajal, located on the same mountain as Fusagasugá, without passing through Fusagasugá. This established the suburb's local importance.
In a directive issued August 7, 1846, the president of the Colombian republic nationally recognized the road from Fusagasugá to the southern provinces, which prompted the construction of a road over the Sumapaz river in Boquerón
. In 1852, Fusagasugá became part of the province of Tequendama.
On February 9, 1877, a battle took place in the hacienda El Novillero between government forces led by General Mogollón and the rebels led by Colonel Juan Ardila and Lucas Moreno. The first hospital was constructed in 1893 by the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with money donated by Don Manuel María Aya Caicedo and Lady Sagrado Cleofé Diaz, who also founded an adjoining nursing home. Following a directive issued on December 20, 1895, Fusagasugá was made capital of the province of Sumapaz, which was created by National Directive 489 on November 7, 1895 and made into Law 162 in 1896.
On February 22, 1893, Doctor José Manuel Goenaga, minister of obras of President Miguel Antonio Caro
, contracted the construction of a highway between Sibaté, Fusagasugá, and Boquerón. The project's engineer was Enrique Pabón Liévano, a native of Fusagasugá. The project was commenced in 1905 under the administration of President Rafael Reyes
but suspended on February 10, 1906 because of an attack by the Barro Colorado. It resumed in March 1913. The highway reached Fusagasugá in 1930 and Arbeláez
in 1934.
In 1907, an iron and wood bridge was finished over the river Sumapaz in Boquerón which was given the name "Puente Eliseo Medina" to honor the administration of the time. In 1930, the bridge was used by automobiles for the first time, and was replaced by the current bridge in 1953.
By article 12 of ordnance 21 in 1944, the construction of a highway between Fusagasugá and Boquerón by the river Llano
commenced.
The first cemetery, which was on the site of "Pekin" opened in 1822. It was replaced by a second one in 1852 which was located in front of the hospital. A third cemetery was opened by the Cura Sabogal on October 31, 1910.
In 1929, in the Quinta Coburgo, the candidacy of Enrique Olaya Herrera
was announced. In 1970, the Institute Técnico Universitario (Technical Institute University) was opened. It had been created by ordenance 45 issued on December 19, 1969 and established there by directive 537 on May 8, 1970 by Governor Joaquín Piñeros Corpas.
The city's main church has been rebuilt numerous times, and for a variety of reasons. The first church was built in June of 1658 by Father Andrés Méndez de Valdivieso. The second church was built by Father Poveda in 1707, and lasted until 1865. The third church was built soon after by Father Antionio Martínez. It was made of bricks, but collapsed on September 19, 1908. The fourth church was begun in its place on June 6, 1909, and was consecrated August 15, 1926, soon after its completion. It was consecrated by the local Archbishop
, Ismael Perdomo. However, there were other churches throughout the city's existence, including the Nuestra Señora de Belén (English: Our Lady of Belén), consecrated on August 16, 1786.
goes through Fusagasuga territory making it an obliged pass to the Colombian cities in the south-west such as Ibague
, Neiva
, Cali
and others.
Over the highway can be seen green houses, a lot of plant and flower stores, handcrafted rustic furniture
stores and local food restaurants.
which plays in the Colombian second division.
Cycling is very significant in this place, also a remarkable growth in roller-skating, child and youth.
Departments of Colombia
Colombia is an unitary republic formed by thirty-two departments and a Capital District . Each department has a Governor and a Department Assembly , elected by popular vote for a four-year period. The governor cannot be re-elected in consecutive periods...
of Cundinamarca
Cundinamarca Department
- Origin of the name :The name of Cundinamarca comes from Kundur marqa, an indigenous expression, probably derived from Quechua. Meaning "Condor's Nest", it was used in pre-Columbian times by the natives of the Magdalena Valley to refer to the nearby highlands....
, in central Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. It is located some forty miles from the capital, Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
. With 122,000 inhabitants, Fusagasugá is one of the largest municipalities in the department. It was founded in 1562 by Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
priests.
It borders Pasca
Pasca
Pasca is a town and municipality in the Cundinamarca department of Colombia located over the Andes mountains. It belongs to the Sumapaz province.- Name :Pasca in the chibchan language means father's fence, according to Acosta Ortegón....
, Arbeláez
Arbeláez
Arbeláez is a town and municipality in the Cundinamarca Department, Colombia. It limits with Fusagasuga, Pasca and other municipalities of the Sumapaz territory.- External links :* * :es:Arbelaéz*...
, Tibacuy, Silvania and other municipalities of Sumapaz. At its elevation of 5669 feet (1,727.9 m) above sea level, the town's average temperature 68 °F (20°C.)
Name origin
The interpretation of the name in Spanish varies from "Mujer que se hace invisible" (Woman who becomes invisible) to "Mujer que se esconde tras la montaña" (Woman who hides herself behind the mountain). However, many people shorten its name to "Fusa".History
The SutagaosSutagaos
The Sutagaos were the settlers indigenous to the zone where today Fusagasugá is located. This community does not possess an own study in reason of the instability of the archaeological indications....
inhabited the region until the new town was founded by Oídor Bernardino Albornoz between 5–13 February 1562. Not much is known about the previous indigenous residents. During the visit of Oídor Ibarra, there were 759 indigenous people residing in Fusagasugá. When Oídor Aróstequi arrived in February 1760, the indigenous population had dwindled to 85, and there were 644 new settlers divided among 109 families. On February 19, 1760, a small hospital was established near the church and Father Vicente of Fresneda was given charge of it.
During a visit, two officials, Moreno and Escandón, considering the decline in the indigenous population and the corresponding growth in the local settler population, issued a decree on January 8, 1776 that the native villages in the Fusagasugá area, Pandi and Tibacuy, no longer existed, and consolidated them into the present-day city of Pasca
Pasca
Pasca is a town and municipality in the Cundinamarca department of Colombia located over the Andes mountains. It belongs to the Sumapaz province.- Name :Pasca in the chibchan language means father's fence, according to Acosta Ortegón....
. In the wake of this decision, all streets and plazas in the cities were renamed.
In 1771, on the direction of the mayor of Fusagasugá, the viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
Messia de la Zerda ordered the construction of a new avenue, Santafé, which would go from Fusagasugá, passing through the nearby town of Sibaté
Sibaté
Sibaté is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca.- References :...
. On August 8, 1774, Father Francisco Escobar announced that Fusagasugá was on the road that passed over the mountains and led to the neighboring towns of Apicalá and Melgar
Melgar, Colombia
Melgar is a Colombian town in the Department of Tolima, 98 km southwest of Bogotá and 1 hour north of Ibagué, the capital city of Tolima....
; such that travelers could not reach Bermajal, located on the same mountain as Fusagasugá, without passing through Fusagasugá. This established the suburb's local importance.
In a directive issued August 7, 1846, the president of the Colombian republic nationally recognized the road from Fusagasugá to the southern provinces, which prompted the construction of a road over the Sumapaz river in Boquerón
Boquerón
Boquerón may refer to:*Boquerón, Cuba*Boquerón, Puerto Rico*Boquerón, Chiriquí, Panama*Boquerón Department, Paraguay*Boquerón River, Honduras*Bahía de Boquerón , Puerto Rico...
. In 1852, Fusagasugá became part of the province of Tequendama.
On February 9, 1877, a battle took place in the hacienda El Novillero between government forces led by General Mogollón and the rebels led by Colonel Juan Ardila and Lucas Moreno. The first hospital was constructed in 1893 by the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with money donated by Don Manuel María Aya Caicedo and Lady Sagrado Cleofé Diaz, who also founded an adjoining nursing home. Following a directive issued on December 20, 1895, Fusagasugá was made capital of the province of Sumapaz, which was created by National Directive 489 on November 7, 1895 and made into Law 162 in 1896.
On February 22, 1893, Doctor José Manuel Goenaga, minister of obras of President Miguel Antonio Caro
Miguel Antonio Caro
Miguel Antonio Caro Tobar was a Colombian scholar, poet, journalist, philosopher, orator, philologist, lawyer and politician.- Biographic data :Miguel Antonio Caro was born in Bogotá on November 10, 1845, and he died in the same city on August 5, 1909....
, contracted the construction of a highway between Sibaté, Fusagasugá, and Boquerón. The project's engineer was Enrique Pabón Liévano, a native of Fusagasugá. The project was commenced in 1905 under the administration of President Rafael Reyes
Rafael Reyes
Rafael Reyes Prieto was Chief of Staff of the Colombian National Army and President of Colombia .- Biographic data :...
but suspended on February 10, 1906 because of an attack by the Barro Colorado. It resumed in March 1913. The highway reached Fusagasugá in 1930 and Arbeláez
Arbeláez
Arbeláez is a town and municipality in the Cundinamarca Department, Colombia. It limits with Fusagasuga, Pasca and other municipalities of the Sumapaz territory.- External links :* * :es:Arbelaéz*...
in 1934.
In 1907, an iron and wood bridge was finished over the river Sumapaz in Boquerón which was given the name "Puente Eliseo Medina" to honor the administration of the time. In 1930, the bridge was used by automobiles for the first time, and was replaced by the current bridge in 1953.
By article 12 of ordnance 21 in 1944, the construction of a highway between Fusagasugá and Boquerón by the river Llano
Llano
Llano is the Spanish word for plain. It may refer to:* Llano, California* Llano Estacado, a region in northwest Texas and eastern New Mexico* Llano, Texas, a small city in Llano County, Texas* Llano County, Texas* Llano River, a Texan river...
commenced.
The first cemetery, which was on the site of "Pekin" opened in 1822. It was replaced by a second one in 1852 which was located in front of the hospital. A third cemetery was opened by the Cura Sabogal on October 31, 1910.
In 1929, in the Quinta Coburgo, the candidacy of Enrique Olaya Herrera
Enrique Olaya Herrera
Enrique Alfredo Olaya Herrera was a Colombian journalist and politician, President of Colombia from August 7, 1930 until August 7, 1934 representing the Colombian Liberal Party.- Early years :...
was announced. In 1970, the Institute Técnico Universitario (Technical Institute University) was opened. It had been created by ordenance 45 issued on December 19, 1969 and established there by directive 537 on May 8, 1970 by Governor Joaquín Piñeros Corpas.
The city's main church has been rebuilt numerous times, and for a variety of reasons. The first church was built in June of 1658 by Father Andrés Méndez de Valdivieso. The second church was built by Father Poveda in 1707, and lasted until 1865. The third church was built soon after by Father Antionio Martínez. It was made of bricks, but collapsed on September 19, 1908. The fourth church was begun in its place on June 6, 1909, and was consecrated August 15, 1926, soon after its completion. It was consecrated by the local Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
, Ismael Perdomo. However, there were other churches throughout the city's existence, including the Nuestra Señora de Belén (English: Our Lady of Belén), consecrated on August 16, 1786.
Economy
The regional agricultural marketing, trade and construction activities are determinants of the city's economy, however the rapid growth of the tertiary sector (services), especially the strengthening of the education sector, health, recreation, tourism and local government policies to support agro technology, aiming to be the short-term dynamic of local development.Tourism
Due to its warm climate, Fusagasuga includes a lot of vacational hotels and resorts, pool parks, cabin hotels. The Pan-American highwayPan-American Highway
The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads measuring about in total length. Except for an rainforest break, called the Darién Gap, the road links the mainland nations of the Americas in a connected highway system. According to Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway is the world's...
goes through Fusagasuga territory making it an obliged pass to the Colombian cities in the south-west such as Ibague
Ibagué
Ibagué is the capital of the department of Tolima in Colombia. It is situated 1,285 m above sea level, on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Central between the Chipalo and Combeima rivers, tributaries of the Coello River...
, Neiva
Neiva
Neiva is the Capital of the Department of Huila. It is located in the valley of the Magdalena River in south central Colombia with a population of about 378,857 inhabitants...
, Cali
Calì
Calì, also written in English as Cali, is an Italian surname, widespread mainly in the Ionian side of Sicily.For the surname Calì is assumed the origin of the Greek word kalos , or from its Sanskrit root kali, "time."The surname refers to:...
and others.
Over the highway can be seen green houses, a lot of plant and flower stores, handcrafted rustic furniture
Rustic furniture
Rustic furniture is furniture employing sticks, twigs or logs for a natural look. Many companies, artists and craftspeople make rustic furniture in a variety of styles and with a variety of historical and contemporary influences...
stores and local food restaurants.
Sports
Fusagasugá is home to a football (soccer) team called Expreso RojoExpreso Rojo
Expreso Rojo is a Colombian football team, based in Zipaquira, Cundinamarca.They formerly played in Sincelejo at the stadium Arturo Cumplido Sierra. Since 2007 they moved to Fusagasuga, Cundinamarca-Squad:As of August 28, 2009...
which plays in the Colombian second division.
Cycling is very significant in this place, also a remarkable growth in roller-skating, child and youth.
External links
- Official Fusagasugá website Cundinamarca Departamento
- Alcaldía de Fusagasugá Official Fusagasuga -City Hall- Mayor's website]
- Unofficial Fusagasugá website commercial website
- Historical information on Fusagasugá
- Fusagasugá Wordpress