Bogotá: History, Former Names & Timeline
Andean highland city, capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada and later of Colombia.
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Former names of Bogotá
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1538 | Santafé de Bogotá |
Timeline of Bogotá
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1538 | The Spanish found the city |
| 1739 | Becomes capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada |
| 1810 | The rising of 20 July begins New Granada’s struggle for independence |
| 1819 | Bolívar liberates Bogotá |
| 1948 | The murder of Gaitán sets off the Bogotazo riots |
Who ruled Bogotá
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–2 BC | Manioc farmers |
| 1 BC–1491 | Unclaimed / no data |
| 1492–1499 | Muisca |
| 1500–1782 | Unclaimed / no data |
| 1783–1879 | Viceroyalty of New Granada |
| 1880–today | Colombia |
Battles and sites near Bogotá
- Battle of Boyacá · 1819
Famous people of Bogotá
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 1783 – 1830 | Simón Bolívar | Liberator of South America |
Further reading
Questions about Bogotá
What was Bogotá called in the past?
Bogotá has been known as Santafé de Bogotá (from 1538). Its present name dates from 1538.
Which states have ruled Bogotá?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Bogotá lies within 4 different states: Manioc farmers, Muisca, Viceroyalty of New Granada, Colombia.
What are the key dates in the history of Bogotá?
1538: The Spanish found the city. 1739: Becomes capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. 1810: The rising of 20 July begins New Granada’s struggle for independence. 1819: Bolívar liberates Bogotá. 1948: The murder of Gaitán sets off the Bogotazo riots.
Which famous people are connected with Bogotá?
Simón Bolívar (liberator of south america, 1783 – 1830).
Last updated 9 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.