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{{About|the Colombian city|other uses|Tunja (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name          = Tunja
|type                   = [[Municipalities of Colombia|Municipality]] and city
|other_name             =                                                                            
|image_skyline          = 
{{Photomontage
| photo1a = CatedralTunja1.jpg {{!}} Main Cathedral
| photo2a = JuandeCastellanos1.jpg
| photo2b = Simonboltunja.jpg
| photo3a = Puente_de_Boyaca_1.jpg
| photo3b = Tunja02.jpg
| photo4a = Tunja Panoramica Norte.JPG
| size = 280
}}
|image_caption          = '''From the top:''' Main Cathedral, Bust of Juan de Castellanos in the Plaza de Bolívar de Tunja, Statue of Simon Bolivar in the main square, Bridge of Boyacá, Tunja Central Square and Panoramic from the north.
|image_shield           = Escudo de Tunja.svg
|image_flag             = Flag of Tunja.svg
|image_map              = Colombia - Boyaca - Tunja.svg
|map_caption            = Location of Tunja in the department of Boyacá
|pushpin_map            = Colombia
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Colombia
|subdivision_type       = [[Country]]
|subdivision_name       = [[Colombia]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[Departments of Colombia|Department]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Boyacá Department|Boyacá]]
|subdivision_type2      = [[Provinces of Boyacá|Province]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[Central Boyacá Province]]
|government_type        = 
|leader_title           = Mayor
|leader_name            = Mikhail Krasnov<br /><small>(2024-2027)</small>
|established_title      = Founded
|established_date       = 6 August 1539 <small>({{Years ago|1539}} Years ago)</small>
|founder                = [[Gonzalo Suárez Rendón]]
|established_title2     = Established
|established_date2      = March 29, 1541
|area_total_km2         = 119.7
|area_urban_km2         = 21.51
|population_as_of       = 2018 census
|population_footnotes   = <ref name="dane.gov.co">[https://www.dane.gov.co/files/varios/informacion-capital-DANE-2019.pdf Infomacion Capital] (in Spanish) Retrieved November 17, 2022</ref>
|population_note        =
|population_total       = 172548
|population_urban       = 163894
|population_metro       = 243330
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_density_urban_km2  = auto
|population_demonym     = Tunjano
|coordinates            = {{coord|5|32|N|73|22|W|region:CO_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m            = 2820
|postal_code_type       = Postal code
|postal_code            = 150001-150009
|area_code              = 57 + 8
|website                = {{Official website}} 
|footnotes              = IGAC - DANE - DIAN.
}}
{{Muisca sidebar}}
'''Tunja''' ({{IPA|es|ˈtuŋxa}}) is a municipality and city on the [[Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)|Eastern Ranges]] of the [[Colombia]]n [[Andes]], in the region known as the [[Altiplano Cundiboyacense]], 130&nbsp;km northeast of [[Bogotá]]. In 2018 the municipality had a population of 172,548.<ref name=dane.gov.co/> It is the capital of [[Boyacá Department|Boyacá department]] and the [[Central Boyacá Province]]. Tunja is an important [[#Education|education]]al centre of well-known universities. In the time before the [[Spanish conquest of the Muisca]], there was an indigenous settlement,  called '''Hunza''', seat of the ''hoa'' [[Quemuenchatocha|Eucaneme]], conquered by the Spanish [[List of conquistadors in Colombia|conquistadors]] on August 20, 1537. The Spanish city was founded by captain [[Gonzalo Suárez Rendón]] on August 6, 1539, exactly one year after the capital [[Santafé de Bogotá]]. The city hosts the most remaining [[Muisca architecture]]: [[Hunzahúa Well]], [[Goranchacha Temple]] and [[Cojines del Zaque]].

Tunja is a [[#Tourism|tourist]] destination, especially for religious colonial architecture, with the [[Casa Fundador Gonzalo Suárez Rendón]] recognized as the oldest remnant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-856597|title=EL TURISMO, FUERZA ECONÓMICA DE BOYACÁ|first=Redacción El|last=Tiempo|date=October 15, 1999|website=El Tiempo}}</ref> In addition to its religious and historical sites it is host to several internationally known [[#Festivals|festivals]] and is a jumping-off point for regional tourist destinations such as [[Villa de Leyva]], [[Paipa]], and [[Sierra Nevada del Cocuy]]. It is a stop on the [[Pan American Highway]] which connects Tunja to Bogotá and [[Santa Marta]] and eventually to the northern and southernmost parts of [[South America]].

== Demographics and geography ==

{| width="190" class="infobox" style="font-size:90%; text-align:right; width:23.5em"
|+ <small>'''Evolution of the population of the municipality of Tunja'''</small>
|| 1500 || align = right| ~200,000<ref name="Tunjapoblación">{{Cite web | url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/7138162.pdf | title=Población, enfermedad y cambio demográfico, 1537-1636. Demografía histórica de Tunja: Una mirada crítica | language=es | trans-title=Population, Disease, and Demographic Change, 1537–1636. Historical Demography of Tunja: A Critical Look}}</ref>
|-
|| 1636 || align = right| 50,000<ref name="Tunjapoblación"/>
|-
|| 1910 || align = right| 10,000
|-
|| 1928 || align = right| 19,000
|-
|| 1951 || align = right| 27,402
|-
|| 1962 || align = right| 68,905
|-
|| 1973 || align = right| 84,013
|-
|| 1985 || align = right| 93,245
|-
|| 1993 || align = right| 101,622<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dane.gov.co/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=437&Itemid=162 | title=Censo 1964-1993 | website=www.dane.gov.co}}</ref>
|-
|| 2005 || align = right| 152,419<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dane.gov.co/files/censo2005/regiones/boyaca/tunja.pdf | title=Resultados censo general 2005 | website=www.dane.gov.co}}</ref>
|-
|| 2019 || align = right|'''202,939'''
|-
|}

Tunja has a population of 172,548 inhabitants according to the 2018 Census. 0.1% of the city is indigenous, 0.4% is black, and 99.5% is white and Mestizo.<ref name=dane.gov.co/> It is located in central Colombia, at an elevation ranging from approximately {{convert|2700|m|ft}} to {{convert|2900|m|ft}}. The city centre is at an elevation of {{convert|2820|m|ft}} above sea level.

== Climate ==
Tunja's climate is influenced by its location and altitude. At almost 3000 m it is one of the higher cities in Colombia. As a result, the city features a [[subtropical highland climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfb'') with little variation in temperature throughout the year but a distinct dry season from December to February.

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location =  Tunja ([[Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia]]), elevation {{convert|2690|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1981–2010)
|Jan high C = 	19.6
|Feb high C = 	19.8
|Mar high C = 	19.8
|Apr high C = 	18.7
|May high C = 	17.8
|Jun high C = 	16.8
|Jul high C = 	16.4
|Aug high C = 	16.7
|Sep high C = 	17.7
|Oct high C = 	18.3
|Nov high C = 	18.6
|Dec high C = 	18.8
| year high C = 	18.3
|Jan mean C = 	13.3
|Feb mean C = 	13.6
|Mar mean C = 	13.9
|Apr mean C = 	13.8
|May mean C = 	13.5
|Jun mean C = 	12.7
|Jul mean C = 	12.2
|Aug mean C = 	12.3
|Sep mean C = 	12.7
|Oct mean C = 	13.2
|Nov mean C = 	13.4
|Dec mean C = 	13.2
| year mean C = 	13.1
|Jan low C = 	7.3
|Feb low C = 	8.3
|Mar low C = 	9.0
|Apr low C = 	9.8
|May low C = 	9.8
|Jun low C = 	9.2
|Jul low C = 	8.6
|Aug low C = 	8.5
|Sep low C = 	8.2
|Oct low C = 	8.8
|Nov low C = 	9.0
|Dec low C = 	8.1
| year low C = 	8.7
|precipitation colour = green	
|Jan precipitation mm = 	18.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 	27.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 	53.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 	81.3
|May precipitation mm = 	85.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 	55.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 	49.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 	40.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 	50.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 	86.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 	73.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 	32.8
|year precipitation mm = 	652.5
| Jan precipitation days = 	5
| Feb precipitation days = 	8
| Mar precipitation days = 	12
| Apr precipitation days = 	17
| May precipitation days = 	19
| Jun precipitation days = 	19
| Jul precipitation days = 	19
| Aug precipitation days = 	18
| Sep precipitation days = 	16
| Oct precipitation days = 	18
| Nov precipitation days = 	16
| Dec precipitation days =	9
| year precipitation days =	177
| Jan humidity = 	75
| Feb humidity = 	75
| Mar humidity = 	76
| Apr humidity = 	80
| May humidity = 	82
| Jun humidity = 	83
| Jul humidity = 	83
| Aug humidity = 	82
| Sep humidity = 	79
| Oct humidity = 	79
| Nov humidity = 	80
| Dec humidity = 	78
| year humidity =	79
|Jan sun = 	229.4
|Feb sun = 	192.0
|Mar sun = 	173.6
|Apr sun = 	141.0
|May sun = 	136.4
|Jun sun = 	132.0
|Jul sun = 	145.7
|Aug sun = 	151.9
|Sep sun = 	153.0
|Oct sun = 	155.0
|Nov sun = 	162.0
|Dec sun = 	204.6
|year sun = 	
|Jand sun = 	7.4
|Febd sun = 	6.8
|Mard sun = 	5.6
|Aprd sun = 	4.7
|Mayd sun = 	4.4
|Jund sun = 	4.4
|Juld sun = 	4.7
|Augd sun = 	4.9
|Sepd sun = 	5.1
|Octd sun = 	5.0
|Novd sun = 	5.4
|Decd sun = 	6.6
|yeard sun =	
|source 1 = [[Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Colombia)|Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales]]<ref name=IDEAM1>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ideam.gov.co/documents/21021/553571/Promedios+Climatol%C3%B3gicos++1981+-+2010.xlsx/f28d0b07-1208-4a46-8ccf-bddd70fb4128 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815025712/http://www.ideam.gov.co/documents/21021/553571/Promedios%2BClimatol%C3%B3gicos%2B%2B1981%2B-%2B2010.xlsx/f28d0b07-1208-4a46-8ccf-bddd70fb4128 
|archive-date=15 August 2016 
|title=Promedios Climatológicos 1981–2010 
|publisher=Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales 
|language=es 
|access-date= 17 June 2024
|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

== History ==
=== Pre-Colombian era ===
{{see also|Muisca Confederation#Prehistory|Herrera Period}}
The earliest evidence of human population on the [[Altiplano Cundiboyacense]] has been dated to approximately [[10th millennium BC|12.000 years ago]]. Homus [[Tequendama (disambiguation)|Tequendama]] inhabited the area by 6375 BCE. Archeologists have found human skeletons including arm bones in the area. Many archaeological discoveries were found in the area of the present-day city, dated to approximately [[150 BC|150 BCE]].

During the 1st millennium AD, the territory was inhabited by the [[Muisca people|Muisca]], who spoke [[Chibcha language|Chibcha]] and emigrated from [[Central America]] through [[Panama]] to the [[Andean natural region|Andean Region]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Los orígenes remotos de Tunja|url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438|website=Tunja.gov.co|access-date=31 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053348/http://tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438|archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> The Muisca developed their own [[Muisca religion|religion]], [[Muisca calendar|calendar]] and [[Muisca religion and mythology|mythology]].

According to those myths, it was the brutal ''[[cacique]]'' and [[prophet]] [[Goranchacha]] who moved the capital for the northern Muisca from [[Ramiriquí]] to Tunja, then called [[Hunzahúa|Hunza]].

=== Early Muisca ===
[[File:QUEMUENCHATOCHA.jpg|thumb|110px|left|{{small|[[Quemuenchatocha|Eucaneme]]}}]]
{{see also|Muisca people}}
An era when frequent battles among ''[[Cacique|cacicazgos]]'' took place, peace was proposed for the region and an agreement was made among ''[[cacique]]s'' to choose a supreme chief to rule them all. [[Hunzahúa]], who came from [[Ramiriqui]], was elected. The capital of his confederation was named ''Hunza''. [[Hunzahúa]] took the title of ''[[zaque|hoa]]'' ("great lord", the same meaning as ''[[zipa|psihipqua]]'' who ruled from [[Bacatá|Muyquytá]]), and reign over the lands from the [[Chicamocha River|Chicamocha]] to [[Fusagasugá]] and from the [[San Juan de Arama|Llanos de San Juan]] to [[Panche people|Panche]] and [[Muzo people|Muzo]] frontiers, including [[Vélez, Santander|Vélez]] territory. This helped to unify the Muisca, especially with respect to their language and religion, until ''[[Muisca rulers|zipa]]'' [[Saguamanchica]] broke this unity due to differences with the ''cacique'' of [[Guatavita]].<ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/hunzahua.html Biography Hunzahúa] - Pueblos Originarios</ref>

=== Late Muisca (1490–1539) ===
[[File:AQUIMINZAQUE.jpg|thumb|110px|left|{{small|[[Aquiminzaque]]}}]]
{{main|Muisca Confederation}}
[[Saguamanchica]], with 50,000 soldiers, decided on a massive attack on ''hoa'' [[Michuá]],<ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/michua.html Biography Michuá] - Pueblos Originarios</ref> crossing [[Guatavita]] and [[Chocontá]], after which the [[Battle of Chocontá]] is named. [[Michuá]] dealt with him, supported by an army which doubled [[Saguamanchica]], battling around three hours and killing both chiefs. A new ''hoa'', Eucaneme, was installed, during the tense truce between [[Bacatá]] and Hunza.

In 1514, Eucaneme found out about the expansionist intentions of the new ''psihipqua'' [[Nemequene]]. He asked the ''caciques'' of [[Gámeza]], [[Sogamoso|Sugamuxi]], [[Duitama|Tundama]] and [[Sáchica]] to help him to reinforce his army. A battle was fought in [[Ventaquemada]] and, when Nemequene was about to become the victor, he was fatally wounded and his troops retreated. [[Iraca]] retracted his support and [[Quemuenchatocha|Eucaneme]] got a truce whose terms would end when the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] arrived. When Eucaneme found out the Europeans were around his lands, he decided to stay in Hunza and avoided any aggression against the invaders. He forbade under strict penalties to show the conquistadors the path to his headquarters and when he knew they were reaching him, he sent them gifts and peacemakers, hoping to stop them while he was hiding his treasures.

==== Hunza in Muisca history ====
{{History of the Muisca}}

=== Spanish colony (1539-1811) ===
[[File:Catedral-Tunja TumbaFundador.jpg|200 px|thumb|right|Tomb of Gonzalo Suárez Rendón]]
{{main|Spanish conquest of the Muisca}}

====Spanish Discovering of Hunza (1537)====
[[Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada]] parted from [[Santa Marta]] in April 1536, on the [[Spanish conquest of the Muisca|first main expedition into the Andes]]. His main goal was to find and conquer ''[[El Dorado]]''. After months of traveling, he found many Muisca ''[[cacicazgo]]s'' in the [[Altiplano Cundiboyacense]]. In his search, he acquired information about [[emerald]] discoveries and other treasures in [[Somondoco]] and the [[Llanos]]. On August 20, 1537, the conquerors arrived, with horses and dogs. Jiménez de Quesada arrived at the headquarters of Quemuenchatocha, finding him in a chair, dressed in gold in the same way as his companions who ran off, leaving him alone. The gold, the emeralds and the fancy fabrics were taken. This conquest took place where later the San Agustin Convent was built. Quemuenchatocha was taken to [[Suesca]], with the hope he would reveal where he hid the rest of his treasure. He abdicated in favour of his nephew [[Aquiminzaque]] and retired to [[Ramiriquí]] where he died.<ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/quemen.html Biography of Quemuenchatocha] - Pueblos Originarios</ref>

====Invasion of Hunza (1538-1539)====
The Spanish Invasion of the territory begins when Jimenez de Quesada captures Quemuenchatocha who is succeeded in life by the young Aquiminzaque. The latter, along with his tribe were taken as an encomienda by [[Hernán Pérez de Quesada]]. The new zaque did not show belligerent in front of the Spaniards, and later himself converted to Catholicism. The continuous and numerous demands made by the Spaniards started to create discomfort among the Muisca population.

Aquiminzaque should verify his nuptials with the daughter of the cacique of [[Gameza]] and many chiefs decided to go the solemn ceremony. A rumour came to Perez de Quesada that the occasion would be used as an insurrection, for which he apprehended Aquiminzaque and all the caciques, among them the ones from Toca, Motavita, Samacá, Turmequé and Sutamarchán, and condemn them to death. In 1540, the Zaque was beheaded and his death marked the end of the dynasty of zaques of Hunza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/aquiminzaque.html|title=Zaques de Hunza: Aquiminzaque|website=pueblosoriginarios.com}}</ref> In the same way, it points to the disintegration and dispersion of natives in encomiendas along the new [[Tunja Province]].<ref>{{in lang|es}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053348/http://tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438 Nuestra Historia]</ref>

[[File:Juan_de_Castellanos.png|thumb|160px|left| Don Juan de Castellanos]]

====City Foundation (1539-16th Century)====
The Spanish city of Tunja was founded on the lands of Quemuenchatocha, where later the convent of San Agustin was built. Founded by Captain [[Gonzalo Suarez Rendón]], on August 6, 1539,<ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/sept2001/ciudades.htm Fundaciones de ciudades y poblaciones] - [[Banco de la República]]</ref> the main square was established, also a yard for the church and public buildings around the square; in 1550, the city outlines were consolidated. The same year, The [[franciscans]] arrive to the city, and the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]] a year later, the [[Augustinians]] in 1585 and the [[Jesuits]] in 1611; To the foundation, 77 yards are added and divided, along with 70 vegetable gardens, 11 estates and 44 stables. Only until 1616 two parishes are built to receive mestizos and Indians during colonial period: Santa Barbara, at southwest and Las Nieves, at north.<ref name="Nuestra Historia_1">{{Cite web |title=Nuestra Historia |url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438 |access-date=28 July 2011 |year=2011}}</ref>

{{expand section|date=December 2016}}

== Security and living conditions ==
Tunja has the lowest homicide rate in [[Colombia]] and is below average in [[Latin America]] according to the report from the International Centre of the Prevention of Crime for 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=8320|title=Page officiel de la municipalité en espagnol|website=Tunja.gov.co|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crime-prevention-intl.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/Crime_Prevention_and_Community_Safety_ANG.pdf,|title=International Centre of the Prevention of Crime, International report Crime prevention and Community safety: Trends and perspectives 2010|website=Crime-prevention-intl.org|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref>  2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015 makes the city one of the safest in the Americas. According to other sources, this value is four times lower than the national average.<ref>{{cite news |author=Eduardo Posada Carb |date=21 January 2011 |title=Aprender de Tunja |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-4353067 |newspaper=El Tiempo}}</ref> Tunja is an example of a safe city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inseguridad en las ciudades: ¿ficción o realidad? |trans-title=Insecurity in cities: fiction or reality? |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/revista-credencial/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-8731420.html |language=es |newspaper=El Tiempo |date=4 January 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Tunja norte.JPG|thumb|280px|Northern zone]]
[[File:Uno de los Nuevos Edificios en el Sector de Unicentro - Barrio La Esmeralda TUNJA D.H.C..jpg|280px|right|thumb|Emerald Quarter]]
[[File:tunja02.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Bolivar Square, Downtown]]
[[File:Estacion Sur del Tren.jpg|right|thumb|280px|Train station, the historic center DHC Tunja]]
[[File:Campanario San Agustín.jpg|thumb|right|280px|San Agustin Convent]]
[[File:Puente Boyaca Nov 09 2005.jpg|thumb|right|280px| [[Puente de Boyacá|Boyaca Bridge]] in Tunja, the site where Colombian independence was won]]

== Tourism ==
=== Relevant historical and tourist sites ===
The streets are named according to 472<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.codigopostal4-72.com.co/codigosPostales/#app=8e8&4817-selectedIndex=4|title=codigopostal4-72.com.co|website=Codigopostal4-72.com.co|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref> and [[Google Maps]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=es&gs_upl=112220l112220l1l112579l1l1l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1536&bih=810&q=tunja&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8e6a7c23803430d7:0x2026c9d28de5eddc,Tunja,+Boyac%C3%A1&gl=co&ei=k3zVTtHCBdG0hAe16tlt&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CE8Q8gEwAw|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref> nomenclatures — (C: calle), (K: carrera), (S: south), (E: east), (A: ave).
 
'''Southern Sector'''

{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; width:70%; border:0; text-align:center; line-height:120%;"
|- style="background:silver;"
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | English Name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Spanish Name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Address
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Bridge of Boyaca
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Puente de Boyacá]]
| style="text-align:left;"| Rural Area (La Lajita)
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Flower Pot Monument
| style="text-align:left;"| Los Tiestos
| style="text-align:left;"| K14-C16
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Mushroom Monument
| style="text-align:left;"| Los Hongos
| style="text-align:left;"| A Oriental
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Martin's Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de San Martín
| style="text-align:left;"| Libertador Neighborhood
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Bullfighting arena
| style="text-align:left;"| Plaza de Toros
| style="text-align:left;"| K8-C13S
|}

'''Eastern Sector'''

{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; width:70%; border:0; text-align:center; line-height:120%;"
|- style="background:green;"
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | English Name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Spanish Name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Address
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Botanical Garden
| style="text-align:left;"| Jardín Botánico
| style="text-align:left;"| BTS Highway (Autopista Circunvalar BTS)
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Anthony's Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de San Antonio
| style="text-align:left;"| San Antonio Neighborhood
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Governorate Viaduct
| style="text-align:left;"| Viaducto Paseo de La Gobernación
| style="text-align:left;"| BTS-A.Olímpica
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| JNN Viaduct
| style="text-align:left;"| Viaducto Jose Nepomuceno Niño
| style="text-align:left;"| C24-Universitaria
|}

'''Downtown'''

{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; width:70%; border:0; text-align:center; line-height:120%;"
|- bgcolor=red
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | English name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Spanish name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Address
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Las Nieves Church and Square
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia y Plazoleta de las Nieves
| style="text-align:left;"| K10-C22
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Ignatius' Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de San Ignacio
| style="text-align:left;"| K10-C18
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| *St. Barbara's Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de Santa Bárbara
| style="text-align:left;"| K11-C17
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Dominic's Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de Santo Domingo
| style="text-align:left;"| K11-C19
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Laureano's Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de San Laureano
| style="text-align:left;"| K9-C15
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Lazarus Hill and Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Loma e Iglesia de San Lázaro
| style="text-align:left;"| San Lázaro Neighborhood
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Claire Royal Convent
| style="text-align:left;"| Convento de Santa Clara la Real
| style="text-align:left;"| K11-C21
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Francis Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de San Francisco
| style="text-align:left;"| K10-21A
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| [[Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle, Tunja|Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle in Tunja]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/southamerica/1131.htm|title=Catedral Basílica de Santiago Apóstol, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia|website=Gcatholic.org|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:left;"| Catedral Basílica Metropolitana Santiago de Tunja
| style="text-align:left;"| Bolivar Square
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| [[Meetinghouse]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
| style="text-align:left;"| La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días
| style="text-align:left;"| C12-K10
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Our Lady of Miracles Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Milagro (El Topo)
| style="text-align:left;"| K15-C19
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Augustine Cloister
| style="text-align:left;"| Claustro de San Agustín
| style="text-align:left;"| K9-C23
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| [[Cojines del Zaque]]
| style="text-align:left;"| Cojines del Zaque
| style="text-align:left;"| K4-C12
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Republic Forest
| style="text-align:left;"| Bosque de la República
| style="text-align:left;"| K11-C14
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Freedom Obelisk
| style="text-align:left;"| Obelisco de la Libertad
| style="text-align:left;"| K10-C14
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| [[City Founder Gonzalo Suárez Rendón House and Museum]]
| style="text-align:left;"| Casa Museo del Fundador
| style="text-align:left;"| Bolívar Square
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Juan de Castellanos' Palace and Museum
| style="text-align:left;"| Casa Museo Juan de Castellanos
| style="text-align:left;"| Bolívar Square
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Don Juan de Vargas' Palace and Museum
| style="text-align:left;"| Casa Museo Don Juan de Vargas
| style="text-align:left;"| K9-C20
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Bolivar Square
| style="text-align:left;"| Plaza de Bolívar
| style="text-align:left;"| K9-C19
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Tower Palace (Governorate Palace of Boyacá)
| style="text-align:left;"| Palacio de la Torre
| style="text-align:left;"| Bolívar Square K10-C20
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Rojas Pinilla's House
| style="text-align:left;"| Casa Cultural Rojas Pinilla
| style="text-align:left;"| K11-C16
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Martyr's Wall Monument
| style="text-align:left;"| Paredón de los Mártires
| style="text-align:left;"| K9-C14
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| La Pila del Mono's Fountain
| style="text-align:left;"| La Pila del Mono
| style="text-align:left;"| K9-C20
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Royal Palace (currently a shopping mall)
| style="text-align:left;"| Plaza Real
| style="text-align:left;"| K14-C20
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Thomas University Building
| style="text-align:left;"| Edificio Universidad Santo Tomás
| style="text-align:left;"| K12-C19
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Santander Park
| style="text-align:left;"| Parque Santander
| style="text-align:left;"| A Colón
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Pinzón Park
| style="text-align:left;"| Parque Pinzón
| style="text-align:left;"| K8-C23
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Maldonado Park
| style="text-align:left;"| Parque Maldonado
| style="text-align:left;"| C10-C30
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| La Esperanza Park
| style="text-align:left;"| Parque La Esperanza
| style="text-align:left;"| 
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Hoyo del Trigo Park
| style="text-align:left;"| Parque Hoyo del Trigo
| style="text-align:left;"| C22-K12
|}

'''Northern Sector'''

{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; width:70%; border:0; text-align:center; line-height:120%;"
|- bgcolor=red
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | English name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Spanish name
! style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Address
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| St. Agnes' Church
| style="text-align:left;"| Iglesia de Santa Inés
| style="text-align:left;"| C42-A Norte
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| [[Hunzahúa Well]]
| style="text-align:left;"| Pozo de Hunzahúa
| style="text-align:left;"| A Norte, [[UPTC]]
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Indigenous Race Monument
| style="text-align:left;"| Monumento a la raza indígena
| style="text-align:left;"| La Glorieta
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Campus of the Uptc and its natural reserve
| style="text-align:left;"| Campus de la Uptc y su reserva natural
| style="text-align:left;"| A Norte, [[UPTC]]
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Museum of Natural History
| style="text-align:left;"| Museo de Historia Natural
| style="text-align:left;"| A Norte, [[UPTC]]
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| Museum of Anthropology
| style="text-align:left;"| Museo de Antropología
| style="text-align:left;"| A Norte, [[UPTC]]
|- 
| style="background:#ddd;"| The Independence Stadium
| style="text-align:left;"| Estadio de La Independencia
| style="text-align:left;"| A Olímpica
|-
| style="background:#ddd;"| Olympic Village
| style="text-align:left;"| Villa Olímpica
| style="text-align:left;"| A Olímpica
|}

=== Festivals ===
* International Festival of Culture<ref>http://www.festivalinternacionaldelacultura.com{{Dead link | date=June 2025 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
* [[Holy Week]] (''Semana Santa'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=5166|title=Semana Santa|website=Tunja.gov.co|access-date=2010-04-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053255/http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=5166|archive-date=2011-07-07}}</ref>
* Aguinaldo Boyacense<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=7440 |title=Aguinaldo Boyacense La Fiesta Grande de Boyacá para Colombia |website=Tunja.gov.co |access-date=2010-04-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053300/http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=7440 |archive-date=2011-07-07 }}</ref>

== Shopping ==
=== Downtown ===
Main places of interest are:
*El Cid
*El Virrey
*Teatro Boyacá
*Cinema Boyacá

=== Shopping malls ===
Unicentro is a shopping center that features a [[Jumbo]] and a [[Cinemark Theatres]] among many other stores.

Viva, a brand of Shopping Centers of [[Grupo Éxito]].

=== Traditional markets ===
* Plaza de Mercado del Norte
* Plaza de Mercado del Sur

== Education ==
Relative to its small size, Tunja has been important in providing education. A large part of its population are students between high school and university.

Tunja has a considerable number of colleges, among these is the College of Boyacá, the first public school in the territories of Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama and Colombia, established when these countries were part of [[Gran Colombia]]. It was founded on 20 October 1822 by Vice President [[Francisco de Paula Santander]]. Among the most important schools are:
* Colegio de Boyacá
* Institucion Educativa San Jeronimo Emiliani
* Colegio Salesiano Maldonado
* Colegio INEM Carlos Arturo Torres
* Colegio de la Presentación
* Gimnasio Campestre del Norte.
* Colegio Municipal Silvino Rodríguez
* Escuela Normal Superior Santiago de Tunja.
* Escuela Normal Femenina "Leonor Álvarez Pinzón"
* Colegio Los Angeles
* Colegio Militar Juan José Rondón
* Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
* Colegio Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
* Colegio Andino
* Colegio American School Saint Frances
* Country Bilingual School

=== Universities ===
Tunja's major university, the [[Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia]] (Uptc), was founded by General [[Gustavo Rojas Pinilla]], and is one of the public universities in Colombia.

Other universities are:
* [[University of Boyaca]]
* Universidad Santo Tomás
* Escuela Superior de Administración Pública E.S.A.P.
* Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD)
* Fundacion Universitaria Juan de Castellanos
* Corporación Universitaria Remington (CUR-Cread Boyacá)
* Universidad Antonio Nariño
* Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Colombia
* Instituto Universitario de la Música y las Artes

== Sports ==
The city has two professional football teams: [[Boyacá Chico]] and [[Patriotas Boyacá|Patriotas F.C.]] The teams play in the Colombian Professional Football A league. They play their games at La Independencia Stadium in the north of the city.

The stadium was rebuilt for the [[Copa Libertadores 2009]], expanding capacity to 20,630 spectators and meeting FIFA specifications.
The city organized the 2008 South American U-20 Futsal Cup in which Brazil was awarded as the championship. Colombia secured the fourth position in the tournament.

The city has a professional basketball team called Patriotas that plays in the Saludcoop Invitational Cup. This team plays its matches in the Municipality Colosseum that has a capacity of up to 5,000 spectators.

== Notable people == <!-- Note: Nairo Quintana is said in some sources to be born in Tunja, but he and his brother are born in Cómbita, one municipality over; he is -of course- listed there-->
* [[Jair Bernal]], former professional cyclist
* [[Iván Casas]], professional cyclist
* [[Francisca Josefa de la Concepción]], Criollo nun
* [[Pedro Antonio Herrera]], professional cyclist
* [[José Ibáñez (cyclist)|José Ibáñez]], former professional cyclist
* [[Diego Molano Vega]], politician
* [[Gustavo Nieto Roa]], film director
* [[Juan Carlos Pinzón]], ambassador of Colombia to the United States
* [[Gustavo Rojas Pinilla]], former president of Colombia
* [[Diego de Torres y Moyachoque]], 16th century mestizo ''cacique'' of [[Turmequé]]

== Sister cities ==
* {{BRA}}: [[São Paulo]]
* {{ECU}}: [[Guayaquil]]
* {{FIN}}: [[Jyväskylä]]
* {{IRL}}: [[Dublin]]
* {{ITA}}: [[Catania]]
* {{ITA}}: [[Potenza]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boyaca.gov.co/?idcategoria=3702&download=Y|title=Gobernación de Boyacá|website=Boyaca.gov.co|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref> (2009)
* {{MEX}}: [[Tapachula]]
* {{PER}}: [[Juliaca]]
* {{ESP}}: [[Cádiz]]
* {{ESP}}: [[Málaga]]<ref name="tunja.gov.co"/> (2013)
* {{ESP}}: [[Sevilla]]
* {{ESP}}: [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]]<ref name="tunja.gov.co"/> (2013)
* {{COL}}: [[Pamplona, Colombia|Pamplona]]<ref name="tunja.gov.co">{{Cite web| url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=15278 | title=Tunja | access-date=2013-09-29 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929162531/http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=15278 | archive-date=2013-09-29}}</ref> (2012)
* {{COL}}: [[Popayán]]<ref name="tunja.gov.co"/> (2012)
* {{COL}}: [[San Juan de Pasto]]
* {{COL}}: [[Valledupar]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://losninosvallenatos.com/v3/?p=319|title=Los Niños Vallenatos del "Turco" Gil - Nacimos para alegrar al mundo|website=Losninosvallenatos.com|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Tunja}}
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.excelsio.net/ News from Tunja at Excelsio]
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.mitunja.net/ News from Tunja at Mi Tunja.net]

{{Municipalities boyaca department}}
{{Treasures of Colombia}}
{{Muisca topics|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tunja| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Boyacá Department]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1539]]
[[Category:Capitals of Colombian departments]]
[[Category:1539 establishments in the Spanish Empire]]
[[Category:Populated places of the Muisca Confederation]]