Socorro, Barichara, Guane: three special Colombian towns - 2

1. Colored window and balcony

Here we are again, talking about a wonderful Colombian area, in the Department of Santander. 

Barichara is the star of the region. Nobody can resist the rustic charm of this colonial town, founded in 1741 and designated as a national monument in 1978. 

Barichara is a Guane Indian name and there are several interpretations about its meaning, all indicating the serenity of this place: ‘place of relaxation’ and ‘place of rest with flowering trees’ are the most recognized. 

In any case, this village is a peaceful one. Besides, its colored walls, picturesque doors and windows, the fine stonework and the cobblestone streets are a paradise for photographers.

Everything in Barichara is about color. Look at this small window and at the small balcony in the background (picture #1). The blue color makes them pop-up on the white surface, accentuating the perspective of the wall. 

On a similar subject, look at picture #2: an elegant house entrance, with a wood carved door, painted with delicate color. The spot is nicely balanced by the presence of the succulent plant, which adds more style to the whole.

2. An elegant house entrance

3. Moto-taxi on the Barichara streets

Let’s go on with two pictures you probably have already seen on my G+ or Facebook pages (#3 and #4). 

Moto-taxies are very common in many Colombian small towns. However, in Barichara they have a special appeal because they are painted with bright colors. Colored moto-taxies add a special charm to Barichara’s streets.

The second image (#4) is an explosion of colors. 

Several elements that we have mentioned in our first post about these Colombian towns are concentrated in this image:  : colored houses and walls, colonial architecture, picturesque doors and windows, tropical trees and flowers. And, of course, the moto-taxi (see my January 2018 post).

To be sure, this picture would be nice even without it. The colored wall with its colored line and doors, the lines and the flowered trees made a nice spot and a great perspective by themselves. But the yellow moto-taxi adds something special to it.

 

5. Tropical trees and flowers

6. Flowers and plants on Barichara houses

Talking about flowers and trees in bloom, look at the next picture (#5). 

Flowers and trees are the real subject here, but, again, the green window and the tiled roof make a nice balance with them. Tropical vegetation is everywhere in Barichara. 

Trees are not only decorative, but very important for their shadow, as a shelter from the hot sun on the streets and inside the patios of the houses. See pictures #6 and #7.

7. Shady trees

As we already saw talking about Socorro, people are another great component of these towns, where they mix nicely with the colonial architecture. 

I particularly like image #8, where a local painter walks with his picture. And talking about artists, let’s move inside the studio of a local craftsman (picture #9). 

8. Local painter

9. Local craftsman

Barichara has always been a magnet for painters, craftspeople and photographers, many of whom have shops in town. Wooden sculptures, along with traditional and religious objects, like the ones exposed in this studio, are an important part of Barichara’s artistic environment.

10. Walking through the streets of Barichara

Back on the streets we find more people. This time, hats are the subject. Barichara us deep inside a rural area, and hats reflect this characteristic.


Look to pictures #10, #11 and #12.

11. Going back home

12. Talking inside a small shop

And let’s close the people’s section with a traditional pastry-coffee shop (picture #13).

13. Inside a pastry-cafe in Barichara

Related to art and culture, we can find also some less usual expressions. See picture #14: this is not simply a Grand Vitara. It is a Colombian Gran Vitara.

14. A very Colombian SUV

Look at the signature on the left, but most of all at the big sticker on the right. This is a traditional hat, called sombrero vueltiao, the Colombian name for sombrero volteado (turned hat). It is not from this area, but it is quintessential Colombian, originally from the northern Caribbean Region. The quality of this hat - created amongst the Zenú tribes of Colombia- is determined by the number of pairs of fibers braided together to make the hat, and by its bending flexibility. The more flexible, higher the quality.

Back to Barichara, let's close this collection with an icon of the town: the 1780 Templo de la Inmaculada Concepcion, on the north side of the Parque Principal, perfectly inserted in the colonial arquitecture of this town. A storm was approaching, not bad from a photographic point of view. Tha church was still in the sun, and the dark grey clouds made a great background, highlighting the main subject of the picture.

15. Templo de la Inmaculada Concepcion

That’s all folks! See you next with the las post about the towns of this area. We will visit Guane.

All pictures © riccardo forte / Digitally watermarked by Digimarc® Guardian