Mompox, also known as Santa Cruz de Mompós, is a town and municipality located in northern Colombia. It is part of the Bolívar Department. The town began to grow because of its location near the Magdalena River and has kept many of its colonial features. It played an important role in helping America gain independence from Spain. Today, Mompox relies on tourism, fishing, and some commerce from local cattle farming. The municipality has a population of 46,408 and is next to the municipalities of Pinillos and San Fernando. The historic center of Mompox became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 because of its preserved colonial architecture and a mix of different architectural styles.

History

Mampo (or Mompoj) was the leader of the Malibu culture when Spanish conquering soldiers arrived. The name Mompox means "land of the ruler Mampo." Alonso de Heredia, brother of Pedro de Heredia, founded the city on May 3, 1537, as a safe port on the Magdalena River. Santa Cruz de Mompox became a prosperous port for moving goods upriver into the interior. A royal mint was built there, and the town was known for its skilled goldsmiths. On August 6, 1810, Mompox was the first town in Colombia to declare independence from Spain with the motto, "Be free or die" (Ser libres o morir). The flag of Mompox, which is red with a white cross in the center, dates back to this time in 1810.

"If to Caracas I owe my life, then to Mompox I owe my glory."

Simon Bolivar first arrived in Mompox in 1812. He recruited 400 men to join his army for his Admirable Campaign. A monument called Piedra de Bolivar commemorates his time in Mompox.

Mompox's popularity as a port along the Magdalena River declined in the early 20th century because of sediment buildup in the river. During this time, travelers preferred to use the branch of the river near Magangué.

The 1987 movie adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez's Chronicle of a Death Foretold was partly filmed in Mompox.

In 1995, UNESCO named the historic center of Mompox a World Heritage Site. In 2010, the Colombian government designated Mompox as a Pueblo Patrimonio (heritage town). It was one of only 11 towns nationwide selected to join the original Red Turística de Pueblos Patrimonio group.

Buildings and architecture

Santa Cruz de Mompox is known for keeping old colonial buildings and their designs, which mix Spanish and local styles. Today, many of these buildings still serve the same purposes they had in the past. One special feature is the detailed ironwork on doors, railings, and window grills along the streets, especially on Calle de la Albarrada, Calle Real del Medio, and Calle de Atrás. Important churches include Santa Bárbara (built in 1613), San Agustín (built in 1606), San Juan de Dios, and Immaculate Conception. There is also a museum that displays religious gold artwork from the colonial period.

• San Juan de Dios Hospital was started in 1550. In 1663, The Knights Hospitaller took charge of managing it. The hospital relied on donations from wealthy local families and taxes from shipping on the Magdalena River to stay open. San Juan de Dios is the oldest hospital in America that still uses its original building.

• The City Hall had rooms where prisoners were held and where the mayor met with people. On August 6, 1810, the Act of Independence from Spain was signed here, and the cry "Freedom or Death" was first heard.

• The Municipal Palace, also called the Cloister of San Carlos, was built in 1660. This place was home to the city’s first secondary school until the Jesuits left. It stopped being a convent in 1767. In 1809, the Universal School of Saint Peter the Apostle was created by Pedro Martínez de Pinillos.

• The Church of the Immaculate Conception was first built with adobe by Pedro de Heredia in 1541. Ten years later, it was expanded, and stone replaced much of the adobe. The roof was changed from straw to tiles. Because of its size, it was often called the cathedral of Mompox. The building was restored several times, with the last restoration completed in 1795. In 1839, the Governor of the Province ordered its demolition, and the current church was built on the same site.

• The Santa Bárbara Church is one of the most famous and important churches in the city. Finished in 1613, the church has a baroque bell tower with a balcony. It is decorated with carvings of palm trees, flowers, and lions. The tower’s dome is also baroque, and the church’s three altars are covered in gold.

• The Mompox farmer’s market was built at the start of the 20th century to help organize street vendors who sold fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and other goods. The building changes the look of the area between the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Magdalena River. This shows a change from the original design of the town square.

• The Cemetery was built in 1829. The chapel and altar were added in 1846. Before this, during the colonial period, people were often buried in quiet areas inside churches, which caused complaints from the public.

• The San Francisco Church was first built in 1564, and the convent was started in 1580 by Fray Francisco Gonzaga.

• The House of the Apostles, located on Calle Real del Medio, was once the home of a local shipping family. Tourists visit to see images of the twelve apostles and of Jesus at the Last Supper.

Tourism

Mompox is a well-known place for tourists because of its history, old buildings from the colonial period, and festivals. Every year, the town holds the Mompox Jazz Festival and film festivals.

Tourism also increases during Holy Week celebrations. These events begin on Palm Sunday with a parade of flowers and candles to honor the dead, followed by other ceremonies connected to religious traditions. The town’s religious buildings and events make Mompox a popular place for religious travelers in Colombia.

Another reason people visit Mompox is its food. Local dishes often include cassava, corn, fish, achiote, and chili pepper. One common street food is the casabito, which is an omelet made with raw cassava, cheese, ground coconut, sugar, and sometimes anise. Another famous food is queso de capa, a cheese that has been made by hand for more than 100 years. It has a stretchy texture and is served in layers.

Juice from the corozo berry is often found in this area. It is also used to make wine.

Filigree

During the 16th century, several artisan guilds, such as clay workers, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, became established in Mompox. At the same time, the port played a key role in trading gold mined in Antioquia, leaving behind many pieces of gold for local use. These two factors helped spread the practice of filigree craftsmanship.

The filigree art of Mompox combines an indigenous casting method with traditional techniques brought by African slaves. This unique blend created the local filigree style, which uses thin metal threads twisted together to form ornaments, often featuring spiral shapes.

Because gold prices are now very high in local and international markets, artisans have started using silver instead of gold in their work.

Transportation

• By air: The District of Mompox can be reached by air through San Bernardo Airport.

• By land: A bus route begins in Carmen de Bolívar on the Transversal de los Contenedores (now called Ruta del Sol III). The bus travels through La Gloria, Magdalena, Santa Ana, and Talaiga Nuevo before arriving at the city of Mompox.

Across the Reconciliación bridge, a large structure that spans about 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) over the Magdalena River, was opened on 30 March 2020. The Yati-Bodega segment connects the western and Magdalena Medio highways, both part of the Ruta del Sol. This section reduces travel time between inland areas and the Colombian Caribbean coast by about three hours, benefiting the economies of Mompox and La Mojana.

The structure includes the Santa Lucia and Roncador bridges, the Isla Grande highway, a road linking the Roncador and Bodega bridges, and maintenance work between the Yatí pathway and Santa Fe.

• By water: The main waterway to reach the District of Mompox is the Mompox tributary of the Magdalena River. A river terminal in Mompox connects to the old river port, welcoming vessels from Magangué, El Banco, Santa Ana, and Barrancabermeja.