The city of Popayan has honored one of their most distinguished sons, Guillermo Valencia, with a beautiful museum in a neoclassical mansion just a few blocks from the city’s central square.
The National Museum of Guillermo Valencia honors the man who was both one of the most important Modernist poets, as well as a successful politician who served as a senator, Colombian ambassador to France, Germany, and Switzerland, and was twice candidate for president.
Jose Fernando Paz, Cultural Manager of the museum told Colombia Reports of the museum’s goal to preserve Valencia’s legacy.
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“We want to highlight the various activities performed by the poet, each one of which lifted the country. As political poet and writer and through his various positions in politics and literature he helped to strengthen the country’s culture,” said Paz.
The museum features a myriad of different artifacts to illustrate the poet’s work and personality.
“What characterizes the museum is that it exhibits original objects of the teacher; there are portraits of his family, historical objects such as an original portrait of liberator Simon Bolivar, the spurs and the baton of the Liberator, a letter from Saul Caldas in which he says goodbye to his wife, a letter from liberator Simon Bolivar sent to General Justo Briceno, we have some of letters from the poetry teacher and most importantly, his remains are buried in this house in the family mausoleum,” said Paz.
The top floor of the mansion is set up to imitate the poet and politician’s own home and features his furniture, clothing, arms collection, his library of more than 8000 books, and many of his awards and honors.
The museum dedicates one room to the poet’s son, Guillermo Leon Valencia who served as president of Colombia from 1962 to 1966.
The downstairs features a rotating art exhibit and an auditorium for lectures and workshops.
Important Information:
Price: Free
Address: Carrera 6 No. 2-69
Website: www.redmuseoscauca.com
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-5:00pm
Tours available in Spanish with English translators.