Who we are

With over 65 years of experience, Hotel Cariongo is located in an exclusive area of Pamplona, one of the oldest colonial cities in Colombia.

Emblematic and prestigious, located in front of the historic Plazuela Almeyda and overlooking the beautiful Eastern Cordillera. Hotel Cariongo offers 85 select rooms and suites, a complete Convention Center, an exquisite and refined restaurant, sports and recreational areas such as tennis court, synthetic soccer field, pool and billiard tables, inspiring gardens, children's playground and exclusive places to party and have fun.

Its colloquial name comes from a Chitarera legend, indigenous people native to Pamplona. "Every eclipse of the sun, the Chitarero chieftain, leader of the tribe, communicated with the gods during a sacred ritual. The indigenous warrior impregnated his face with a thick, bright yellow liquid that boiled out of the earth, and then powdered himself with gold". Cariongo means Golden Face.

Witness in its antiquity of Franciscan and Eudist experiences; Hotel Cariongo reveals in its extensive heritage stories of evangelization traced through the years in the beauty of the eastern mountain range that today allows new forms of ecotourism that delivers to locals and foreigners the charm and mystery that our legendary hotel professes.

The Legend of Cariongo

1000 B.C.

ETHYMOLOGY
The origin of the word Cariongo is part of the mythology of our region. More than 1500 years before the conquest, the Chitareros, an indigenous Chibcha-speaking tribe, lived freely in the mountains of the Eastern Cordillera. Cariongo, was one of the most powerful Chitarero chiefs of the Hulago, the name given by the Indians to the region known today as Pamplona. According to Chitarero legend, during each solar eclipse, Cariongo dusted his face with pure gold. This sacred ritual would allow the warrior leader to communicate with the gods. Cariongo means Face of Gold.

1549

The Spaniards Pedro de Ursúa and Ortún Velasco arrive with 111 companions to the Chitarera lands in the Valle de la Niebla. Motivated by the abundance of gold and following instructions given by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, to search for the riches hidden in rivers and mines, the Spanish conquistadors founded the city of Pamplona and subdued the natives.

The Spaniards Pedro de Ursúa and Ortún Velasco arrive with 111 companions to the Chitarera lands in the valley of the fog. Motivated by the abundance of gold and following instructions given by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, to search for the riches hidden in rivers and mines, the Spanish conquistadors founded the city of Pamplona and subdued the natives.

1810

On July 4, 1810, in the center of Pamplona, the Creole Doña Agueda Gallardo, in an act of discontent against the Spanish crown, snatches the baton of command from the Governor of the New Kingdom of Granada, the Catalan Juan Bastus y Falla, to break it with her hands under the eyes and general approval of the people of Pamplona. This fact provoked a popular revolt that culminated with the July 20 Cry for Independence. Simón Bolivar qualified Pamplona as a Patriot City, thanks to the gesture of Águeda Gallardo.

1821

On October 19, 1821, the Vice President of the Republic, Francisco de Paula Santander, promulgated the order to annul the religious convents. A year later, Governor Mantilla expropriated the religious communities of Pamplona, among them, the Franciscans who inhabited the San Francisco Convent, today Hotel Cariongo.

1827

The property remained uninhabited until 1827 when, at the request of the Pamplona town council, the Convent was reestablished with the argument that the buildings were collapsing. However, the friars did not return.

1841

On February 17, 1841, Bishop José Jorge Estans requested the rehabilitation of the ruined convent. Two years later, after a complete restoration, the first Conciliar Seminary of the city was established in the same place where the Hotel Cariongo is located today, for the ecclesiastical formation of those who had a priestly vocation.

1854

Civil war breaks out in the Republic of New Granada (former name given to the current country Colombia and then province of Panama) after the coup d'état orchestrated by General José María Melo on April 17, 1854. The Conciliar Seminary of Pamplona falls into crisis.

1890

In 1890, Bishop Ignacio Parra asked the priestly board to send Eudist priests from France, who would recover the Conciliar Seminary from the crisis imposed by the war. Thus, the priests Enrique Rochereau, Juan Havard, Joaquín Evanno and Luis Fafín travel to Pamplona to direct the Conciliar Seminary.

The investigative spirit of the wise Rochereau brings great achievements to the city of Pamplona. The Rochereau Museum becomes the most outstanding hotbed of mineralogy, botany, zoology, anatomy and cosmography in the region.

1949

The Conciliar Seminary is moved to the Escorial neighborhood where it remains to this day. The building that formerly housed the Seminario Conciliar, today Hotel Cariongo, falls into oblivion once again.

1954

In the 1954 earthquake, the walls of the abandoned Conciliar Seminary collapsed.

1955

On July 25, 1955, a group of businessmen and authors with Pamplona roots devised the most prestigious hotel project in the city and founded the Sociedad Anónima Hotel de Turismo.

1958

In 1958, the old Seminario Conciliar, now in ruins, was turned over for the construction of today's Hotel Cariongo. The elegant building designed by architects Juan José Yañes Rey, Luis Raúl Rodríguez and Enrique Cuadros breaks with the architectural influence of the Spanish colony and adopts the modernism of Le Corbusier, Oscar Neimeyer and Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe.

2010

The Cariongo Hotel is declared Architectural Heritage of the city of Pamplona. Built between 1959 and 1965, it is framed within one of the most important periods for the country belonging to the modern architecture movement of the 50's and 60's influenced by great masters of the time such as Le Corbusier, Oscar Niemayer and Mies Van der Rohe. The Hotel was also built within the Pamplona Historical Center Protection Plan, taking into account the modern architecture from 1950 to 1970.

Hotel Cariongo today

With more than 70 years of experience, Hotel Cariongo, noted for the beauty of its spaces and the excellence of its service, offers 85 comfortable rooms and suites, inspiring gardens, exquisite restaurants, sports areas such as tennis court, synthetic soccer field, pool and billiard tables, fun Lounge and complete Convention Center with capacity for more than 1500 people.

Cultural and architectural heritage, witness of spirituality and promoter of ecotourism, Hotel Cariongo is an account of the mystery and charm declared by the patriotic and patriotic city of Colombia.

On strong historical foundations, Hotel Cariongo lets glimpse in its architecture the revolutionary modernist wave of the nineteenth century, which discloses in its spaces elegant lines contrasted with the charm of its gardens and a panoramic view of the eastern mountain range.

Human Relations

On July 25, 1955, a group of businessmen with Pamplona roots devised the most prestigious hotel project in the city. A venture that 4 years later became a reality with the construction of the Hotel Cariongo. This same conviction of offering a service of excellence, together with a clear vision of promoting progress, tourism and long-term employment, make Hotel Cariongo not only a great company, but also a great family.

Our most precious instrument is the human talent of each of our ambassadors, who daily with effort, dedication, demand and professionalism give the best of themselves to satisfy the visitors of the city.

If you live in Pamplona, share our values and have the talent to offer an excellent service, we invite you to send your resume.

talentohumano@hotelcariongo.com

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Let us be your home away from home as you explore the cultural treasures and beautiful attractions of Pamplona. Our friendly staff will be happy to provide personalized recommendations and help you make the most of your stay, so don't wait any longer and book now at Hotel Cariongo for an unparalleled experience in the vibrant city of Pamplona!

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