Florencia history

Foundation and First Mentions

The official founding date of the city of Florencia is considered to be 25 December 1902. The settlement was initiated by the Capuchin friar Doroteo de Pupiales. The city emerged on the site of the "La Perdiz" trading warehouse, which was used for collecting rubber, and was named in honour of Florence (Italy) or, according to another version, in honour of the flowers that abound in the local nature.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into an important administrative centre was driven by a number of factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated in the foothills of the Andes, serving as the natural "Golden Gate" to the Amazon region. This made it a key transit point connecting the jungle with the rest of the country, which is Colombia.
• Rubber Fever: In the early 20th century, high global demand for natural rubber stimulated migration to this region, turning Florencia into a hub for the collection and transport of raw materials.
• Religious Mission: The Capuchin Order took over the administration of the territory in the early years, engaging in the construction of the first roads and the organisation of civil life.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades, the city's economy relied exclusively on the extractive industry — the harvesting of rubber and quinine. This formed a specific way of life oriented towards trade and the temporary stay of workers. The cultural landscape was formed from the interaction of missionaries, settlers from the Huila department, and the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. Later, with the decline of the rubber market, the vector of development shifted towards cattle ranching and agriculture, which promoted a settled population and the growth of the city.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1902: On 25 December, Capuchin friar Doroteo de Pupiales founds the settlement, which receives the name Florencia.
• 1912: The locality receives the official status of a corregimiento, which becomes the first step towards forming a local administration.
• 1932: Opening of the first road connecting the city with the neighbouring Huila department and the rest of the territory of the country, which is Colombia.
• 1950: The Caquetá region is transformed into a national intendancy, and the city is officially approved as its capital.
• 1981: As a result of administrative reform, Caquetá receives the status of a department, which secures the city's role as a key regional centre.
• 1982: Foundation of the University of Amazonia, which over time becomes the main educational and scientific institution in the south of the country.
• 2002: The city celebrates its centenary on a large scale, accompanied by a renewal of urban infrastructure.
• 2010s: The beginning of the active development of ecotourism and the positioning of the city as the "Golden Gate" to the Colombian Amazon for travellers.

Development Milestones and Their Significance

The history of the transformation of a small settlement into a modern departmental capital is inextricably linked with changes in the economy and infrastructure. Here are the key events that defined the modern appearance of the city:

• Opening of the Road to Garzón (1932): The completion of the first highway was a turning point that brought the city of Florencia out of geographical isolation. This event not only facilitated trade but also integrated the entire region into the economic space of the country of Colombia, opening the way for new settlers.
• Transition to Cattle Farming (Mid-20th Century): The decline of the "rubber fever" led to a change in the economic model. The active development of land for pastures and the holding of fairs turned the city into the main centre for livestock trade in the south of the country, which remains the basis of local prosperity to this day.
• Construction of the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes: The erection of the majestic temple on the main square, Plaza Pizarro, not only gave the city its main architectural symbol but also consolidated the structure of urban planning around this spiritual and social centre.
• Obtaining Department Capital Status (1981): Administrative reform gave a powerful impulse to urban development. The appearance of its own governing bodies led to the creation of new administrative buildings, the improvement of municipal infrastructure, and the expansion of the service sector.
• Foundation of the University of Amazonia (1982): The opening of a higher education institution transformed the cultural environment. The city became a centre of attraction for youth and researchers, which contributed to the formation of a local professional community and the development of biodiversity science.
• Modernisation of Gustavo Artunduaga Airport: Reconstruction and development of the air harbour ensured stable and rapid connections with Bogotá and other major centres, which is critically important for business activity and the growing flow of tourists.
• Course towards Ecotourism (21st Century): In recent years, the city has been actively rethinking its development, betting on natural resources. The creation of tourism infrastructure around waterfalls and protected zones forms a new, eco-friendly image of the region and attracts travellers from all over the world.

Architectural Features and Development Stages

Since Florencia is a comparatively young city, founded in the early 20th century, you will not find the ancient colonial architecture here that is characteristic of the country's older centres. The city's appearance was formed under the influence of the settlement processes of the Amazon, transitioning from simple wooden structures to modern concrete. Urban planning developed spontaneously, following economic booms — from rubber extraction to the development of trade.

Iconic Styles and Buildings

The architectural heritage of the city can be divided into several key directions, reflecting its short but rich history:

• Colonisation Architecture (Early 20th Century): The first structures were built from local materials — timber and palm leaves, later replaced by zinc roofs. This utilitarian style was dictated by the need for rapid settlement in jungle conditions.
• Republican and Eclectic Style (Mid-20th Century): With the growth of prosperity, permanent buildings began to appear. The brightest example is the Curiplaya Building (Edificio Curiplaya). Built in the 1950s, it combines elements of Art Deco and the national architecture of that period. Today it is a National Monument and the cultural centre of the city.
• Religious Architecture: The dominant feature of the centre is the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes on Plaza San Francisco. Its construction began in the 1930s. The building is distinguished by strict lines and monumentality, symbolising the role of the church in the development of the region.
• Modern Style: Administrative and commercial buildings of recent decades, such as the Palace of Justice or the City Hall, are executed in a functional style using concrete and glass, typical for the entire country of Colombia.

Urban Structure

The city is designed according to the classic orthogonal grid ("chessboard pattern") for Spanish settlements, the centre of which is the main square — Plaza Pizarro. From here, streets radiate to the periphery. In recent years, the city has been actively expanding; however, the historic core around Plaza Pizarro and Plaza San Francisco remains the centre of social and cultural life, preserving the atmosphere of a trading crossroads between the Andes and the Amazon.

Famous Residents and Historical Figures

The history and culture of the city of Florencia are inextricably linked with the names of people who laid the foundations for its development, from early missionaries to modern figures of art and politics. Below is a list of key persons who left a notable mark on the chronicle of the region.

• Doroteo de Pupiales
  Capuchin friar, founder of the city
  A central figure in the history of the founding of Florencia. It was this clergyman who officially established the settlement on 25 December 1902, organising the first residents and designating the place for the future town square. His efforts marked the beginning of the transformation of a trading warehouse into an administrative centre.
• Gustavo Artunduaga Paredes
  Pilot, politician, and aviation pioneer
  An outstanding aviator and statesman who played a key role in the development of transport accessibility in the region. He was one of the first to establish regular air connections with the rest of the country, which is Colombia. The city's main airport is named in his honour, and he himself held the posts of governor and senator.
• Juan Bautista Migani
  Apostolic Vicar, educator
  An Italian missionary who dedicated his life to the development of education in the Caquetá region. He founded one of the first and most prestigious educational institutions in the city — a college that today bears his name. Migani also oversaw the construction of many civil and religious structures.
• Félix Artunduaga Bermeo
  Historian, lawyer, and writer
  A native of the city who became its main chronicler. Author of the fundamental work "General History of Caquetá" (Historia General del Caquetá), which is considered the most complete source of knowledge about the department's past. His works help preserve the cultural memory of the region.
• Luis Calixto Leiva
  Musician and composer
  A talented artist who immortalised his love for his native land in music. He is the author of the melody of the official anthem of Florencia, which is performed at all ceremonial events in the city.
• Arturo Salas Ramos
  Writer and linguistic researcher
  A well-known man of letters who dedicated his works to studying local identity. His book "Lexicón Caquetense" is a unique study of the linguistic features and dialects of the inhabitants of the Amazonian foothills.