CityBuddy
Iglesia de la Merced
Best time to visit
Visit on weekday mornings around 9-11 AM when the museum first opens and crowds are smallest. The light filtering through the colonial windows is best in the late morning.
Budget tips
Entry to the church is free; the Museo de Arte Religioso costs around 5,000 COP (about $1.50 USD). Students and seniors often receive discounted museum rates.
Recommended for
History enthusiasts, Architecture lovers, Solo travelers, Art and museum fans
Plan your visit
45-60 minutes
About
Quick facts: This 16th-century church houses a museum of colonial religious art with over 300 pieces. Its bell tower was one of the first structures visible to travelers arriving in Cali during the colonial era.
Highlights: A secret tunnel once connected the church to the nearby San Antonio hill, used by priests as an escape route during pirate attacks. The tunnel was rediscovered in the 1990s during a construction project and remnants are still visible today.
Insider tips
- Don't miss the small Museo de Arte Religioso upstairs, which holds golden altarpieces and paintings dating back four centuries.
- The best photo spot is from the courtyard looking up at the bell tower against the blue sky.
- Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Plazoleta de la Merced for a broader feel of colonial Cali.
- Watch for the original wooden ceiling beams in the main chapel, carved without modern tools.
Where to Stay in Cali
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