Rosales on Foot: A Route of Modern Architecture and 1950s Houses

Introduction: When Bogotá Looked to the Future

If you walk today through the tree-lined streets of Rosales, between Carrera Séptima and Avenida Circunvalar, it's hard to believe that this neighborhood, now one of the most exclusive in Bogotá, was a pasture dotted with brick kilns in the 1930s. The transformation began in earnest after World War II, when a wealthy Bogotá elite with money and a desire for modernity decided they no longer wanted to live in colonial mansions in La Candelaria. They wanted glass, concrete, straight lines, and above all, gardens that descended the hillside.

Rosales then became the laboratory of modern architecture in Bogotá. The most important architects of the time—some trained in the United States and Europe—came here to build houses that broke with everything that had been done before. And the best part is that many are still standing. In July 2026, this remains one of the best walking tours you can do if you are interested in the city's construction history. You don't need to be an architect to enjoy it: just curiosity and a willingness to walk.

This guide takes you through six key stops, with precise data on year, architect, and style, plus a cross-section of Calle 78 that shows the crazy mix of eras coexisting on the same block. At the end, a café recommendation so you can rest and process all that modernist beauty.

Starting Point: Parque de Rosales (Carrera 7 with Calle 76)

We start at Parque de Rosales, right at the corner of Carrera 7 with Calle 76. Getting there is easy: you can take TransMilenio to the Calle 76 station (feeder route or SITP buses that go up Carrera 7) or get off a taxi/Uber directly. The park is small but vital: here you breathe the neighborhood's atmosphere, with its palm trees, the monument to the founders, and the view towards the eastern hills. Take a minute to look at the city's skyline from here: you see the tower of the Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario and, further up, the houses that seem to hang from the mountain. That's the route we are going to follow.

The 6 Stops of the Route

Each stop includes a photo of the facade (ideal for your Instagram with the hashtag #ArquitecturaRosales), year of construction, architect (when known), style, and a curious detail you won't find in tourist guides. The full route is about 2.5 kilometers, with gentle inclines. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Stop 1: House at Calle 76 # 2-55 (1953, Architect: Guillermo Bermúdez)

This house is an icon of the modern movement in Colombia. Built in 1953 by Guillermo Bermúdez—one of the pioneers of modern Bogotá architecture—the facade is a play of volumes in exposed concrete and large windows facing north. The curious thing: it was one of the first houses in the neighborhood to have central heating, something very rare in Bogotá in the 1950s. Today it functions as the headquarters of a cultural foundation, so sometimes you can enter to see the interior. If it's closed, it doesn't matter: the facade is worth the trip.

Stop 2: House at Calle 77 # 3-10 (1957, Architect: Rogelio Salmona)

Before Salmona became famous for the Torre del Parque and the Biblioteca Virgilio Barco, he built this small but powerful house. Built in 1957, it is an early example of his style: exposed brick, interior patios, and a staircase that seems to float. The detail: Salmona used "perforated brick" here for the first time, which would later become his hallmark. The house is inhabited by a private family, so it can only be seen from the street, but the brick facade with those geometric patterns is hypnotic.

Stop 3: House in the Alley of Calle 78 # 2-20 (1960, Architect: Fernando Martínez)

Fernando Martínez was another giant of Colombian modernism, and this 1960 house is his best-known work in Rosales. It is hidden in a pedestrian alley that descends from Calle 78, which makes it feel secret. The style is soft brutalist: hammered concrete, wooden latticework, and an interior garden visible from the entrance. The curious thing: the house was designed so that the morning sun would enter from the east, but the architect miscalculated the orientation, and the original owners had to put up thick curtains. Mistakes also make history.

Stop 4: House at Calle 79 # 3-45 (1965, Architect: Dicken Castro)

Dicken Castro, known for his work with brick and wood, built this house in 1965. It is one of the few in the neighborhood that combines modernism with elements of the "California colonial" style that was fashionable in the 1940s. It has clay tiles, but the windows are huge and frameless. The curious fact: the final scene of the Colombian film "La estrategia del caracol" (1993) was filmed here, when the characters flee across the roof. The neighbors still tell the anecdote.

Stop 5: House at Calle 80 # 2-30 (1970, Architect: Arturo Robledo)

This 1970 house is a late example of modernism, already with influences from the international style. Arturo Robledo, a lesser-known but highly respected architect, designed a facade of polarized glass and white concrete that looks like a cube floating over the garden. The curious thing: it was the first house in the neighborhood to have an indoor pool and solar heating, something that sounded like science fiction in 1970. The pool no longer works today, but the structure remains. The house is now a private art gallery, so sometimes there are exhibitions open to the public.

Stop 6: House at Carrera 2 # 78-10 (1955, Architect: Jorge Gaitán Cortés)

We close with a grand finale. This 1955 house was designed by Jorge Gaitán Cortés, architect and politician (he was mayor of Bogotá in the 1960s). It is one of the most photographed in the neighborhood: a flagstone facade and floor-to-ceiling windows, with a flat roof that looks like a landing strip. The detail: Gaitán Cortés had an oak tree planted in the front garden that is now over 15 meters tall. The house remains a private residence, but the tree is a neighborhood landmark.

Cross Section of Calle 78: The Mix of Styles

If you want to see in a single block how Rosales is an open-air museum, stand on Calle 78 between Carreras 2 and 3. In less than 100 meters you have:

• A neo-colonial house from the 1940s (with clay tiles and wooden balconies) at # 2-15.
• A 1970s apartment building, with a mirrored glass facade, at # 2-30.
• Fernando Martínez's house (stop 3) in the alley, in brutalist style.
• An 1980s "glass box" style house, with a Japanese zen garden, at # 2-50.
• And a 1990s house that imitates colonial style, at # 2-70, with tiles and wrought iron grilles.

This mix is the history of Bogotá in one block: each generation built upon the previous one, without erasing it entirely. If you are a photographer, this is your gold mine.

What to Do Besides the Route

Rosales is not just pretty houses. The neighborhood has several activities that complement the architectural tour:

• Visit Parque de la 93: Just a 10-minute walk from Calle 76, this park is the social heart of the area. It has restaurants, bars, and a ciclovía on Sundays. Ideal for a break between stops.
• Go up to the Mirador de la Calle 80: At the end of Calle 80, there is an informal viewpoint with a view of the entire city. Bring your camera at sunset.
• Explore the art galleries: Several houses on the route (like the one at stop 5) function as galleries. Ask at the reception if there are open exhibitions.
• Have a coffee in the neighborhood: The area has several specialty coffee shops. I recommend Café Devoción (Calle 76 # 4-20) for a good Colombian espresso, or Masa (Calle 78 # 3-15) for an artisanal dessert.

Where to Eat or Drink

After the walk, hunger and thirst set in. Here are my recommendations, with reference prices from July 2026:

• La Hamburguesería de Rosales (Calle 77 # 4-30): Artisanal burgers from $22,000 COP. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm-10pm. The place has a terrace with a street view.
• Restaurante Osaki (Carrera 2 # 76-40): Fusion Japanese food. Dishes from $35,000 COP. Open Monday to Saturday, 12pm-11pm. The atmosphere is quiet and elegant.
• Panadería La Florida (Calle 78 # 3-50): For a coffee with pandebono or almojábana. Prices from $5,000 COP. Open every day, 7am-8pm. It's the perfect place to rest after the route.
• Bar El Mono Bandido (Calle 79 # 4-10): Craft beer and tapas. Open Thursday to Saturday, 6pm-2am. Relaxed atmosphere, good music.

How to Get There and Transportation

Getting to Rosales is easy from any point in Bogotá:

• By TransMilenio: Take the Caracas trunk line to the Calle 76 station. From there, walk 5 minutes east (towards the hills) or take an SITP bus that goes up Carrera 7 (routes like 18-3 or 19-2).
• By taxi or Uber: Ask to be dropped off at Parque de Rosales (Carrera 7 with Calle 76). From downtown or Usaquén, the trip costs between $15,000 and $25,000 COP.
• By bicycle: The Carrera 7 ciclovía reaches Calle 76. There are bicycle parking lots in the park.
• Walking from the north: If you come from Usaquén or Zona T, you can walk along Carrera 7 for about 20-30 minutes. It's a pleasant walk, with trees and wide sidewalks.

The neighborhood is safe to walk during the day. At night, stay on the main streets (Carrera 7, Calle 76, Calle 78) and avoid lonely alleys after 10pm.

Local Tips

• Bring your camera, but with respect: Many houses are private residences. Do not enter without permission or touch the doors. Photos from the sidewalk are fine, but avoid using direct flash towards the windows.
• The best time is between 9am and 11am: The morning light illuminates the eastern facades (most houses face east). Also, there is less traffic and noise.
• Download the offline map: Mobile internet can fail on some streets near the hills. Use Google Maps offline or download the PDF of the route.

Fun Fact You Didn't Know

In the 1950s, the Rosales neighborhood had its own private fire station, located on what is now Calle 79. It was funded by the residents themselves, who were afraid that the city's fire trucks couldn't climb the steep streets. The station operated until 1972, when the Bogotá Fire Department integrated it into its network. Today, the building is a private residence, but you can still see the old garage door on the facade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the route suitable for people with reduced mobility?

Partially. The streets are paved and the sidewalks are generally wide, but there are some steep sections, especially on Calle 80 and the alley of Calle 78. The route is not recommended for manual wheelchairs without assistance. For electric wheelchairs, it is feasible with caution. The Parque de Rosales and the main streets (Carrera 7, Calle 76) are fully accessible.

Can I enter the houses or only see them from outside?

Most houses are private residences and cannot be entered. However, stops 1 and 5 occasionally open to the public as cultural spaces or art galleries. Check their social media or call ahead to confirm if there are open hours during your visit. The rest are only visible from the street.

How long does the full tour take?

The walking route is about 2.5 kilometers and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace, including stops to take photos and read the information. If you add a coffee break or a visit to a gallery, plan for 3 to 4 hours total.

Are there public restrooms on the route?

There are no public restrooms along the route itself. However, the recommended cafés and restaurants (like Panadería La Florida or Café Devoción) have restrooms available for customers. There is also a public restroom in Parque de la 93, about 10 minutes from the starting point.

Is it worth doing the route in a group or is it better alone?

Both options work. Alone, you can go at your own pace and stop as long as you want at each house. In a group, you can share impressions and discover details you might miss on your own. If you go in a group, I recommend keeping it small (4-6 people) to avoid blocking the sidewalks and to respect the neighbors' privacy.