This hacienda on the outskirts of town is where Simón Bolívar spent his last days and died. At the time the hacienda was owned by a Spanish supporter of Colombia's independence cause. He invited Bolívar to stay and take a rest at his home before his intended journey to Europe. Several monuments have been built on the grounds in remembrance of Bolívar, the most imposing of which is a massive central structure called the Altar de la Patria .
Just to the right of this is the Museo Bolivariano , which features works of art donated by Latin American artists, including those from Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, the countries liberated by Bolívar.
Highlights among the wares in the house include an absolutely decadent marble bathtub. The hacienda was established at the beginning of the 17th century and was engaged in cultivating and processing sugarcane. It had its own trapiche (sugarcane mill) and a destilería (distillery).
The outstanding grounds, home to Santa Marta's 22-hectare Jardín Botánico , are also worth a stroll. Some of the property's trees warrant a trip out here alone. The quinta is in the far eastern suburb of Mamatoco, about 4km from the city center. To get here, take the Mamatoco bus from the waterfront (Carrera 1C); it's a 20-minute trip (COP$1500) to the hacienda.
