(14 Jul 1998) Spanish/Nat
The residence of the so-called Liberator of South America, Simon Bolivar, has opened in Bogota after almost five years of painstaking renovation.
It is hoped the house in which 'El Libertador' lived between 1821 and 1830 will stand as a national monument to Colombia's heroic freedom fighter.
Original features and paintings were discovered in the restoration, which had been hidden in the building's long history as a school, a clinic, and even a brewery.
This is 'Quinta de Bolivar' - the house in which South America's most renowned freedom fighter lived between 1821 and 1830.
Simon Bolivar, known throughout South America as 'El Libertador' (the liberator), was given the house by the Colombian government in 1820.
The building has stood as a national monument since 1975.
It has survived a turbulent history with ten owners who used it as a school, a clinic, and even a beer brewery.
After nearly five years of renovation the house has been reopened as a museum.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"This is the place that Bolivar loved the most in his life and curiously enough is where he spent the most time in his adult life. He lived here for 463 days and this house stands for the moments of glory, happiness, and joy that Bolivar went through in his numerous triumphs in battle...and also of sadness and disappointment in being betrayed by his friends."
SUPER CAPTION: Elvira Cuervo, Director of Social Improvements of Bogota
Simon Bolivar headed the armies that liberated several South American colonies from the Spaniards in the course of a protracted and bloody struggle.
Through several uprisings he eventually liberated his native Venezuela in 1821, Colombia and Ecuador in 1822, Peru in 1824 and Bolivia in 1825.
Born in Venezuela, he lived in Bogota and became president of the Grand Colombian Union of Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, until his resignation in 1830.
Bolivar dreamed of a unified state comprising all the former Spanish dominions from Guyana in the east to Peru in the south.
His vision was never fulfilled though - with Colombian independence breaking out in 1830 and ripping the country apart.
Nevertheless, his name has stood as a symbol of Colombian pride and patriotism.
The opening of 'La Quinta' is an important event for all Colombians.
Bolivar lived in the house between 1821 and 1830 with Manuelita Saenz, his confidante and lover.
Together they are said to have shared both good and bad times in 'La Quinta'.
She was a married woman when they first met, opting to leave her husband for Bolivar.
Every minute detail in the house has been recreated, down to the flowers in the garden and the colour of the walls, both inside and out.
The liberator died in lonely disillusionment near Santa Marta, on his way to a European exile that was never to be.
His memory, however, lives on.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"For me Bolivar is one of the most important personalities in history for what he achieved in the campaigns of Bolivar. His campaigns were as large and important as those of George Washington in the United States and the Napoleonic campaigns which all had a final distinctive ending. For me he is one of mankind's most important figures."
SUPER CAPTION: Mario Plaza, visitor
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"He's a great character who freed us from the Spaniards. He's a historic character who marked Colombia's life."
SUPER CAPTION: Sandra Hernandez, visitor
It is hoped that over the coming months Colombians will take the opportunity to visit the house in order to learn more about their most important father.
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