El Tablón

A cultural landmark in the municipality of El Tablón de Gómez, Nariño, is Puente El Tablón de Gómez. The bridge spans the Cañón del Río Juanambú. Its construction history and architectural form give the structure its own significance; the Río Juanambú is also regarded in the municipality as a natural and cultural feature. This brings together two perspectives: the structure itself and the river as a natural and cultural subject.

History and cultural significance

The bridge was built around 1893. Its cultural designation is distinct from this approximate construction date: a 2000 resolution by Colombia’s Ministry of Culture designated Puente El Tablón de Gómez as a nationally significant cultural asset in Colombia. The two dates refer to different aspects of its history. Around 1893 marks the period when it was built; 2000 is the year of the resolution establishing its national designation. This distinction is helpful when interpreting a historic structure: it connects an approximate construction date with a later official cultural status without conflating the two. The bridge can therefore be viewed both in terms of its origins and its cultural significance.

Round arches and an asymmetrical composition

The bridge consists of two round arches, typical of structures of Roman origin. Its asymmetrical composition defines the structure’s distinctive character. The arches are a specific feature of its form; the asymmetry describes the structure as a whole. Both levels therefore matter when considering its architecture: the shape of the individual elements and the distinctive overall composition. The bridge is interesting not only for its approximate construction date, but also for the interplay of these architectural features. This offers visitors interested in historic structures a perspective that goes beyond dating to include design.

The Río Juanambú in its regional context

The Río Juanambú is regarded as a natural and cultural feature in the municipality of El Tablón de Gómez, in the northeast of the Department of Nariño. The bridge spans the canyon of this river, linking it geographically to the river as well. This adds a natural and cultural dimension to the consideration of the structure: Puente El Tablón de Gómez represents a specific historic structure, while the river is considered from both natural and cultural perspectives. The two perspectives address different questions. The bridge is viewed in terms of its construction date, cultural status, and form; the Río Juanambú is considered in its role as a natural and cultural feature of the municipality.

Which focus suits your travel plans?

If you are primarily interested in architectural history, the bridge offers several concrete points of interest: its approximate construction date, its national cultural designation, and its combination of round arches and an asymmetrical composition. For a broader understanding of the municipality, the Río Juanambú adds a natural and cultural dimension to this perspective on the structure. You can choose your cultural focus according to whether you would rather explore a historic structure or the river as a regional natural and cultural feature.

Discover more destinations: Ipiales, Génova, Tumaco, La Unión, El Charco, Chachagüí, El Rosario, La Florida.

For the full travel overview: Nariño.