Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1537, Popayán has always been a significant player in the history of the country. Not only was it a crucial point of the «golden way» from Peru to Colombia, but was considered the «golden cradle» of the Spanish crown as well. Here, the gold for the Spanish treasury was mined, and later, as a gratitude gesture for getting rid of the plague, the jewel masters of the city created the famous Crown of the Andes. And though most of the history of Popayán is connected with the colonial epoch, its territory still hosts numerous beautiful monuments of the pre-Columbian era.

The ancient pyramid El Morro del Tulcán, created by the first citizens of Popayán, is considered the city’s main archaeological monument. One of the most popular attractions among tourists is an ancient burial place, dating back to thirty centuries before the Spanish conquistadors came to this land. For the indigenous Indian tribes who lived there, this burial place was a sacred shrine to pray to gods and an afterlife home for the upper class.

The Spanish found the pyramid abandoned and overgrown with thick greenery when they came here. And only in 1950, a group of archaeologists headed by Julio César Cubillos initiated the first excavations and found out that the construction of the crypt corresponds to the religious structures of that early period. Also, they found 16 adult and child tombs during the excavations on the hill, stone steps leading to the ceremonial place, and many historical artifacts: primitive clayware and ancient jewelry.

Today, the pyramid, which can be seen from any corner of the city, is decorated with a horse statue of a famous Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar. The monument to the founder of Popayán and some other big Colombian cities was erected on the hill in honor of the 400th anniversary of the foundation day of the city. However, the choice of its location is still discussed by the locals who believe that a statue of an Indian leader should rise over the pyramid.