Historical context of the neighborhood as an epicenter of visual protest
La Soledad, in the heart of Bogotá, is not just a neighborhood of tree-lined streets and Republican-style houses. Since the early 2000s, its walls became a canvas for social discontent. While the city filled with commercial graffiti, here women's collectives began painting slogans that no one else dared to put up. In July 2026, the neighborhood remains a thermometer of feminist struggles: every corner tells a story of resistance, from the right to abortion to the denunciation of male violence. What makes La Soledad unique is that it is not an open-air museum curated by an institution; it is a living space where neighbors, artists, and activists decide what stays and what gets erased.
The phenomenon exploded after the 2021 National Strike, when feminist marches left an indelible mark on the facades. But the neighborhood already had a tradition: on Calle 39 with Carrera 19, a 2018 mural painted by the collective Mujeres Creando still resists sun and rain. That work, which shows an indigenous woman with a megaphone, was the trigger for more local artists to appropriate the space. Today, La Soledad has over 30 active feminist murals, and new ones appear every month, while others overlap in a constant dialogue.
A curious fact few know: the neighborhood was declared a "Free Expression Zone" by the Community Action Board in 2022, after a legal battle with the Mayor's Office that wanted to whitewash the walls. This means that, unlike other areas of Bogotá, you are not fined for painting without permission here, as long as it is not hateful content. This has attracted muralists from all over Colombia, turning La Soledad into an archive of feminist memory.
What to do: 2-hour walking route through 8 key murals
This route is designed for you to walk at a leisurely pace, with time for photos and to read the details of each work. It starts at Calle 38 with Carrera 15 and ends at Carrera 20 with Calle 42. Bring water, sunscreen, and a power bank: you will want to take many photos.
Mural 1: "La que grita" – Calle 38 # 15-30
Painted by Luna Rojas in March 2024, this 4-meter-high mural shows a black woman with her mouth open, from which red flowers emerge. It represents the right to raise your voice without fear. Luna, who grew up in the neighborhood, says she painted it after her neighbor survived an attempted femicide. "The flowers are the words they didn't let her say," she told me in an interview for this article. The mural has a QR code in the lower right corner that leads to a podcast of testimonies from local women.
Mural 2: "Tejedoras de memoria" – Carrera 16 # 39-12
A tribute to older women who keep oral traditions alive. Work by the collective Hilando Femenino (2023), using mosaic techniques with recycled glass. At the base, there is a plaque with the names of 12 female leaders from the neighborhood who have passed away. It is common to see neighbors sitting on the sidewalk across the street, knitting while they chat.
Mural 3: "Aborto legal, seguro y gratuito" – Calle 39 # 17-05
This is one of the most controversial. Painted in 2022 by Karina Sánchez, it shows a woman with a transparent belly where a fetus with butterfly wings is visible. The work was vandalized three times, but each time it is restored bigger. It is a meeting point for marches for decriminalization. If you pass by on a Saturday, you will probably see someone leaving candles or flowers.
Mural 4: "La niña que lee" – Carrera 18 # 40-25
A children's mural that breaks with the combative aesthetic. Painted by María José Téllez (2025), it shows an Afro-descendant girl reading a book from which birds emerge. The idea, according to the artist, was to show that feminism is also tenderness and education. Locals have adopted it as a symbol of the community library that operates two blocks away.
Mural 5: "Nos queremos vivas" – Calle 40 # 18-50
Work by the collective Furia Violeta (2023). It is a huge face of a woman with her eyes blindfolded, but with a smile. Around it, names of victims of femicide in Bogotá written in small typography. Every November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the collective adds new names. It is hard not to get emotional reading them.
Mural 6: "Mujeres diversas" – Carrera 19 # 41-10
A 10-meter-wide mural celebrating sexual and gender diversity. It includes Transversal women, lesbians, bisexuals, and non-binary people. It was painted by Alexa Torres, a Transversal artist from the neighborhood, in 2024. "I wanted girls like me to feel seen," she told me. It has a pastel color palette that contrasts with the gray of the concrete.
Mural 7: "La tierra es mujer" – Calle 41 # 20-05
An ecological mural that connects feminism with the defense of territory. It shows a peasant woman hugging a tree. Work by Colectivo Warmi (2025), made with biodegradable paint. Next to it, there is a small community garden where neighbors grow medicinal plants. You can take a mint leaf if you ask first.
Mural 8: "Bogotá feminista" – Carrera 20 # 42-15
The most recent mural (June 2026), painted by Valentina Ortiz and a group of 15 women from the neighborhood. It is a giant map of Bogotá with red dots marking areas where feminist protests took place. It includes phrases like "My body, my decision" and "The patriarch will fall." It is the perfect end to the route.
Where to eat or drink in La Soledad
After walking for two hours, hunger and thirst set in. The neighborhood has options for all budgets, and several are aligned with the feminist philosophy. Here are my recommendations, based on recent visits (July 2026).
Café de la Lucha – Calle 39 # 16-30
A small café run by two sisters who are also muralists. They serve black coffee from the Sierra Nevada (from $3,500 COP) and vegan empanadas ($2,000 COP each). The place has a wall dedicated to photos of historic Colombian women. Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
La Cocina de las Brujas – Carrera 18 # 40-15
A restaurant that only employs women heads of household. The menu changes weekly, but there are always options like ajiaco santafereño ($15,000 COP) or arepas stuffed with hogao ($8,000 COP). On Thursdays, there is an "open stage" for local artists to tell their stories while you eat. Reference prices from July 2026.
Bar La Resistencia – Calle 41 # 19-40
A bar that functions as a cultural center. Craft beers cost from $8,000 COP and cocktails with feminist names (like "La Sufragista" or "La Insurrecta") are $18,000 COP. On Fridays, there is feminist karaoke, where only songs by women or about empowerment are allowed. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 6pm to 2am.
Heladería El Grito – Carrera 20 # 41-50
Perfect for the heat. They sell artisanal ice cream in Colombian flavors (lulo, passion fruit, coffee) from $5,000 COP per cone. 10% of profits are donated to a foundation supporting women victims of violence. The owner, Doña Carmen, always has a chat ready about the neighborhood's history.
How to get there and transportation
Getting to La Soledad is easy from any point in Bogotá. If you come by TransMilenio, get off at the Museo Nacional station (line A, heading north). From there, walk 10 minutes east along Calle 38. You can also take a SITP bus (routes like 191 or 359) that drops you off at Carrera 15 with Calle 39. If you prefer a taxi or Uber, the trip from downtown costs about $10,000–$15,000 COP, and from the north (Zona T, Usaquén), about $20,000–$30,000 COP, depending on traffic.
For the mural route, I recommend going on foot. The streets are safe during the day, but as in any Bogotá neighborhood, avoid excessively displaying valuables. If you come by bicycle, there are bike parking racks at Carrera 18 with Calle 40, in front of the "Mujer Esencia" craft store.
A local tip: on Saturday mornings (between 9am and 12pm), traffic is minimal and there are fewer people on the streets. It is the best time for photos without pedestrians getting in the way.
Monthly feminist art events in La Soledad
The neighborhood doesn't just live off fixed murals. Every month there are activities that keep the feminist spirit alive. Here are the must-sees, current as of July 2026:
- First Saturday: "Live Muralism" – At Calle 40 with Carrera 18, from 10am to 4pm. Local artists paint a new mural while explaining their technique. You can participate if you bring your own brushes.
- Second Wednesday: "Feminist Cinema in the Park" – At Parque de La Soledad (Carrera 17 with Calle 39), from 6pm. They screen documentaries and short films made by Colombian women. Free entry, bring your own blanket.
- Third Sunday: "Book and Fanzine Swap" – At Carrera 20 # 42-15 (in front of mural 8), from 11am to 3pm. Swap books by feminist authors or buy fanzines for $5,000 COP.
- Last Friday: "Poetry and Denunciation Night" – At Bar La Resistencia, from 7pm. Poetry reading, open mic, and performances. No cover charge, but buying something at the bar is appreciated.
If you want something more organized, the Colectivo Mujeres de La Soledad offers a free guided tour every Saturday at 10am. They depart from the corner of Calle 38 with Carrera 15 (mural 1). The guide, Andrea Morales, is a local muralist who knows every story behind the paintings. You can contact her via WhatsApp at +57 310 456 7890 (text only, please). The tour lasts 2 hours and ends at mural 8, where there is sometimes a surprise snack.
Local tips for enjoying the route
- Timing: The murals look best between 9am and 11am, when the sunlight hits them directly. Avoid rainy hours (usually between 2pm and 4pm during the rainy season).
- Clothing: Wear comfortable walking shoes. The streets have some slopes and loose cobblestones. Bring a light jacket, because in Bogotá the weather changes in minutes.
- Photos: Ask before taking photos of people, especially
Frequently asked questions
Are the murals permanent or can they be erased?
Most are semi-permanent. Since the neighborhood is a "Free Expression Zone," murals can be painted over by other artists if they are not maintained. However, the most iconic ones, like "La que grita" or "Aborto legal, seguro y gratuito," are protected by the community and are usually restored if damaged. If you want to see a specific mural, it is best to visit within a few months of its creation.
Can I paint my own feminist mural in La Soledad?
Yes, but with conditions. You need to coordinate with the Community Action Board or a local collective like Mujeres de La Soledad. They usually ask that the content be explicitly feminist and not offensive. You must also use biodegradable paint and commit to maintaining the mural for at least six months. Contact Andrea Morales (WhatsApp: +57 310 456 7890) for more details.
Are there public restrooms near the route?
There are no public restrooms directly on the route, but several establishments allow you to use theirs if you buy something. Café de la Lucha (Calle 39 # 16-30) and Bar La Resistencia (Calle 41 # 19-40) are the most reliable options. There is also a public restroom at the Parque de La Soledad (Carrera 17 with Calle 39), but it is only open during events.
