Is Colombia Haunted From Its Past? Three Ghost Stories.

It opened in 1836 and was the first site that allowed the dead to be buried outside the church. Until the 18th century, it was tradition for all of the Spanish colonies to bury remains inside the church.

King Charles, the 3rd, ordered this change; however, it was not carried out until after his death. An earthquake destroyed the plans, followed by Colombia’s | independence.

Which led to an 11-year war; Colombia was declared independent from Spain.

Under the direction of Bogota Mayor Buenaventura Ahumada, the cemetery was completed.

He was also the first person to be buried in the cemetery in 1832.

The cemetery is now home to many presidents, poets, war heroes, and a few ghost stories.

The most famous ghost stories

It is claimed a man in a long white cloak guards the place. Some say he could be a monk, guiding new souls.

He walks throughout the cemetery with a halo that turns on and off, possibly guiding lost souls to a safe resting place.

Whether this is true or not is for you to find out.

The most popular grave is of two sisters, Elvira and Victoria Bodmer, who died of “blue blood,” a heart disease, nonetheless under suspicious circumstances.

Some say fire others do not know.

Their tomb space is filled with flowers, sweets, and various toys. “so that the girls’ spirits come out to play.”

As well as, some leave them gifts and ask the spirits to help keep their children healthy.

(When I visited the Bogota Cemetery, this section was closed; unfortunately, I did not get to see these graves).

The cemetery is open to tourists and is a beautiful place. I did not personally feel or see any ghosts during the day.

Tequendama Falls has located 30 km from Bogota in the Soacha department. The hotel sits directly across from the falls, a 180-meter-high natural waterfall.

The Myth That Created The Falls

It is said that the Gods created this place.

The Muiscas are an indigenous Amerindian people that have inhabited the Cundiboyacense highlands and the south of the department of Santander, in the center of the current Republic of Colombia, since approximately the 6th century BC- Wikipedia.

The God of Bochica created the falls to prevent the flooding of the Bogota Savannah.

Bochica only showed up because it is said that the Muiscas disrespected the gods and offended Chibchacum ( the previous and beloved god).

Chibchaucum flooded the Savannah; this killed people and destroyed crops when the people prayed and asked for forgiveness; that is when the God of Bochica showed up to help.

The God of Bochica then created the falls to prevent the flooding of the Bogota Savannah and saved the people.

The Ghost Story

It is rumored that the indigenous tribespeople jumped into the waterfall during the Spanish Conquest with the belief of becoming eagles and flying away.

Another side to the story is that the tribe members would take prisoners and push or make them jump to their death.

Who knows which is true, if any.

The story states that after 5 pm, the paranormal activity starts and stays all night. There are stories of screams coming from the waterfall and shadows in the area.

It could be the ghosts of those indigenous tribesmen, the prisoners, or those who have committed suicide.

It is still open now as a museum.

Plaza De Bolivar

Bolivar square was created when the Spanish still had power. The square was initially used for entertainment, such as the circus, public markets, and bullfighting.

Now it is one of the busiest squares in Bogota. With the Palace of Justice and the Supreme Court at one end.

The Ghost Story

Jose Raimundo Russi was executed in Bolivar square in 1851 by a firing squad. Russi had stabbed a man to death. In front of his own home but claimed innocence up until his end.

The victim Manuelito Ferro has been reported roaming in front of the Russi house. Reports of screams have been reported in the area.

Russi has also been spotted roaming around the square at night.

Who was Jose Raimundo Russi and Manuelito Ferro?

I don’t want to end the story here. In my head, I am thinking, ok, well, what makes this story interesting. Right? Ok, maybe just me, but let’s find out.

So I did some digging.

Russi was a lawyer from Boyaca. He was the leader of one of the worst gangs of murderers and thieves in Bogota in the 1850s. The gang included 15 others.

Everything was going as planned until one day, and one day, the haul was divided unfairly. Ferro was among those who received his fair share, so the members assumed he was the guilty party. He did not help this matter by claiming his innocence and becoming aggressive.

The plot then began to murder him. Yet Ferro had a sense that something was wrong. He did not fall directly into their trap as was planned. They decided to go back to Russi’s house.

The suspicion of Ferro increased. The pursuit ended with Ferro stabbed in the middle of the road, in front of Russi’s house.

Ferro was not dead; he stayed alive long enough to name his attackers before dying.

Five of the members were sentenced to death by firing squad. The rest of the members were sent to prison and never left.

I found this particular story here about this gang. I have paraphrased but reading the original story is fascinating!

Check out my video of Plaza de Bolivar below.

What is the scariest place you have ever visited?

XOXO

S