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This municipality was founded in 1743 by the priest Francisco Basilio Benavidez. During the colonial period it enjoyed great prosperity due to the artisanal activity since it was the first point of penetration towards the Magdalena Valley.

Here the German immigrant Geo von Lengerke settled, who commanded, in the mid-nineteenth century, a group of Germans who settled in Santander, bringing with him a large number of technical and scientific innovations that notably influenced the development of the region.





Zapatoca is a municipality in the department of Santander, Colombia, it is part of the province of Mares.

The city of Zapatoca, known as the city of the silk climate or the Levitical city is located in the center of the department of Santander, to the south west of the capital of the department. Zapatoca is located 52 kilometers from the municipality of Girón, of which 32 kilometers are paved and in acceptable condition and the other 20 in fair condition, during this route part of the canyon is crossed by the Sogamoso River that takes this name after they have joined the rivers Suárez and Chicamocha and it is common to find pineapples, cabros and tunas along the way. Zapatoca is lying in a valley that the founders called ´´El llano de las Flores´´, at a height of 1737 meters above sea level.

The city enjoys a climate of 20 degrees, which President Santos called ´´Climate of silk´´, very pleasant for its inhabitants and appropriate for intellectual activities. Those who want to freeze themselves must ascend to the highest part of the ´´Yariguíes´´ mountain range; and if you prefer a pleasant cold you will find it in the mountainous areas of ´´San Javier´´, ´´Pablo BLanco´´ and in the ´´Cuchilla de San Pablo´´. The friends of the warm climate that descend to ´´Coscal´´, ´´Las Lagunetas´´ and ´´Chocoa´´ in the hollows of Suaréz and Sogamoso, or to the townships of ´´La Plazuela´´ and ´´La Fuente ´´. In the other places the thermometer indicates an average climate. Zapatoca thus enjoys all climates, appropriate for all kinds of crops.

In the economic sector in Zapatoca we can mention the exploitation of Mines, the Gypsum Mines, the cigar, coffee and chocolate factories.

For their quality and delicious taste they are widely recognized nationally. Here the tourist can taste the most tasty cocadas, sweets in a great variety, preserves, which are made with recipes that have come from generation to generation; Likewise, the bread industry, which is one of the strongest lines of the Zapatoca economy: biscuits, shortbreads, cakes, cookies and the delicious Zapatoca bread are our best letter of introduction. Exquisite wines, preserves, cheeses and pickles of excellent quality are also produced. Culonas ants, in times of "harvest" are an aphrodisiac dish for locals and strangers, which has crossed borders and can now be found in department stores in the United States, France, Germany, etc. Unfortunately our peasants have been exterminating them because of what these little animals represent for the crops, especially peas, beans, corn, since they build their nests based on plant products.





The art of the pauche has become the hallmark of Zapatoca, because with it (the heart of the arboloco) beautiful crafts are made, such as culona ants, fruits and ornamental plants where you can appreciate the creativity and skill of its women.

Hand embroideries represent a source of income for many families, since due to their excellent finishes they are acquired by clothing factories to be sold in national and international markets. At present, a great society of embroiderers is being formed with the active and disinterested collaboration of the Bucaramanga Chamber of Commerce to make Zapatoca a great center in the clothing and embroidery industry.

In the Urban area of ​​Zapatoca you can see the Churches of three centuries ago, architectural jewels of colonial art, the Pine Forest, the Tomb of Geo Von Lengerke and the fabulous Educational facilities.

In the surroundings we find as special striking the following places:

La Cueva del Nitro: Natural formation that was used by the pre-Columbian Indians as a place of protection and sanctuary.

La Hacienda de las Puentes: Famous for the murals painted by the artist Segundo Agelvis, and which are still preserved as a testimony of this great artist.

La Laguna del Sapo: Beauty and ecology in Santander.

Pico de La Vieja: Peak of considerable height that offers an incomparable panoramic view of Santander.

La Unión Falls: Waterfalls that still preserve the splendor of nature.

Quebrada la Lajita: A haven of waters that invite ecological reflection

Caminos Lengerke: Testimony of the tenacity of the colonization in Santander.

Hacienda el Florito: Architecture that refers us to a past full of prosperity.

Pozo del Ahogado: A true place of ecological recreation.

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