In a city synonymous with its street art, murals are as ubiquitous as cars. While each and every graffiti is worth admiring, some stand out more than others. Within Bogota’s historic core lies a small, bustling alleyway whose façades have recently turned into an open-air museum that showcases a fusion between indigenous motifs and modern artistic flair.
By: Omri Westmark
Date: 11:54 17.08.24
Last Update: 11:57 17.08.24
In recent decades, the Colombian capital has emerged as an epicenter for street art, where eye-catching murals and graffiti transform the city’s otherwise nondescript walls into a sprawling outdoor gallery. If you want a proof of that, look no further than Callejón Embudo (Bottleneck Alley), a cobblestone alleyway in the historic La Candelaria district, where art, history, and culture merge.
The alley, named for its tapering shape, leads visitors from the vibrant Plazoleta del Chorro de Quevedo, where Bogotá’s first colonial settlement is said to have been founded.
This narrow passage has become a canvas for some of the most striking street art in Bogotá, boasting a blend of traditional pre-Colombian imagery and contemporary social commentary, often reflecting resistance to established power structures. As you meander through the alley, the various murals close in around you, each piece a bold statement of identity, struggle, or celebration.
Among the standout works, you’ll find images of toucans, hooded indigenous figures, and reggae-inspired art, to mention just a few. Most of the artworks are ephemeral in nature, yet some cling for longer like a large-scale painting at the northern tip of the alley, adorned with a smattering of Inca-style reliefs.
Beyond its artsy vibes, the alleyway is dotted with cozy cafés and eateries, ideal for a quick respite. If you stop at one, be sure to try Chicha, a traditional fermented drink with deep roots in Andean indigenous cultures. Made primarily from maize or other grains, Chicha offers a range of flavors, from subtly sweet to pleasantly tangy. During colonial times, its production and consumption were banned as Spanish authorities sought to suppress native traditions and tighten their control over the local economy.
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
Bottles of Chicha on display
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
