1
A village museum
This isn’t a big-city museum: it’s a collection gathered in the parish house of a village of a few hundred people.
Guane · since 1970
When the sea was here
Marine fossils millions of years old and artifacts of the Guane people, gathered in a house in Guane.
1 / 5 · Arrival
Next to Guane’s square
The museum is housed in the village’s parish house.
2 / 5 · The house
A museum since 1970
It was founded by Father Isaías Ardila Díaz.
3 / 5 · The Guane people
A people of weavers
The Guane left pottery, necklaces, funeral urns, and textiles like this one (a piece from another site, shown as an example).
4 / 5 · Their tools
Guane needles
Everyday objects from Guane culture (illustrative image).
5 / 5 · On your way out
Keep exploring Guane
The Santa Lucía church and the lookout are just steps away.
Good to know
Guane Archaeological and Paleontological Museum
Founded in 1970 by Father Isaías Ardila Díaz, the museum brings together marine fossils (from when this region lay under the sea) and artifacts of Guane culture—pottery, necklaces, and funeral urns—across three rooms.
- Where
- Guane parish houseCarrera 6 # 7-24, Guane
- Founded
- 1970By Father Isaías Ardila Díaz
- Collections
- Fossils and Guane culturePottery, necklaces, funeral urns
- Getting there
- On foot via the Camino RealOr about 15 minutes by car from Barichara
Please confirm hours and admission before you go. Our sources don’t agree (see the table). Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll confirm.
| Source | Hours | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Santander official tourism site (santander.travel) | Monday–Sunday and holidays, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–5:00 p.m. | Free |
| Visit My Colombia travel guide | Daily, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 2:00–6:00 p.m. | COP 10,000 |
History
A parish priest and a collection.
Millions of years ago
The region is covered by the sea: the marine fossils found today in the soil and stones of the area date from that time.
Pre-Hispanic era
The Guane people live here and leave behind pottery, necklaces, textiles, and funeral urns.
1970
Father Isaías Ardila Díaz founds the museum in Guane’s parish house.
Stories and fun facts
What makes this museum special.
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The sea in the mountains
Seeing marine fossils nearly 3,000 feet (885 m) above sea level is the best proof of how much this land has changed.
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Pair it with the trail
The ideal plan: walk down the Camino Real, visit the museum and the church, then head back.
Gallery
Photos you’ll fall for.
Tap a photo to see it full size.
On video
The story of the Guane people, on video.
Guane: the story of our origins in Santander · Museo Gua on YouTube. A tour of Guane and its history.
Location
In the center of Guane.
What’s the plan?
Message us and we’ll help you plan your visit to the Guane Museum and pair it with other spots in Barichara.
Message us on WhatsAppKeep exploring
More to explore in Barichara.
Sources
We only share what we could verify. When sources disagree, we say so. Accessed October 1, 2026.
- Santander.travel (turismo oficial de Santander) — Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de Guane
- Visit My Colombia — Visit Guane
- El Tiempo — El Camino Real indígena y colonial en Santander
Photo credits
gu-calle2: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
gu-panorama: Oscarphoto · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
gu-parque: Nikolaiky · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
mu-agujas: User:Carlos Esteban Santamaria · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
mu-fachada: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
mu-tejido: Josefino2010 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Licenses: CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, or public domain (CC0), depending on the photo.