Girón

History of Girón, Santander (Colombia)

Located just a few kilometers southwest of Bucaramanga in the department of Santander, Girón—officially known as San Juan de Girón—is one of Colombia’s most picturesque colonial towns. Famed for its whitewashed buildings and stone-paved streets, it has preserved much of its 17th-century charm and was declared a National Monument in 1959. Below is an overview of Girón’s historical development:

Pre-Hispanic Roots
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the region that is now Girón was inhabited by Indigenous groups such as the Yariguí and Carare peoples. They lived off agriculture, hunting, and fishing, taking advantage of the area’s fertile land and nearby rivers.

Spanish Foundation (1631)
Girón was officially founded on January 15, 1631, by the Spanish captain Francisco Mantilla de los Ríos y Franco. He named it San Juan de Girón in honor of his ancestral homeland in Spain. Thanks to its strategic location along the Río de Oro (“Gold River”), the settlement quickly grew in importance.

Colonial Prosperity
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Girón became a modest commercial hub, benefiting from trade routes linked to local gold mines and agricultural products. Merchants, artisans, and landowners helped shape Girón’s economy, while the Catholic Church played a key role in social and political life. The town’s layout—with a central plaza, church, and administrative buildings—followed typical Spanish colonial patterns.

Architectural Heritage
Girón’s white adobe houses, red-tiled roofs, and cobblestone streets reflect its colonial legacy. Significant religious and civic buildings include the Basilica Menor San Juan Bautista, which dates back to the 17th century. The well-preserved architecture led Colombian authorities to declare Girón a National Monument in 1959, ensuring legal protection for its historic center.

19th-Century Changes and Independence
With the broader independence movements sweeping Latin America in the early 19th century, Girón underwent political and social changes as part of the newly forming Republic of Gran Colombia. Although not a principal battleground, the town felt the economic and administrative shifts of the post-independence era.

Modern Era and Tourism
In the 20th century, Girón saw gradual modernization but carefully preserved its colonial core. Today, the town is a popular tourist destination, celebrated for its heritage architecture, religious festivals, and traditional gastronomy. Pilgrims and visitors frequently come to venerate the Lord of Miracles (Señor de los Milagros) shrine and stroll through the town’s scenic streets.

Recognition and Cultural Significance

National Monument: Its 1959 designation underlines its importance in Colombian history and architecture.
Pueblos Patrimonio Network: Girón is part of Colombia’s official heritage town network (Red de Pueblos Patrimonio), underscoring its status as a living repository of colonial history.
Today, Girón seamlessly blends its colonial past with the bustle of modern life. Its preservation efforts have turned it into a cultural gem of Santander, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore one of the country’s most evocative colonial settings.