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The extensive Property of the Casona del Salitre was adjudged by the Spanish crown to the Company
of Jesus in the XVI century, during the consolidation of the Colony in the lands conquered by
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quezada. The Jesuits were the ones who initiated the construction
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of an outpost convent. Years later, the community was expelled and the Property was expropriated.
In 1770 the Property was sold to the Spanish landowner, Agustín Justo de Medina, that completed the original construction, adapting and positioning it like the most refined of the time.
During the Liberating Campaign of 1819 the house served as headquarters after the battle of "Pantano de Vargas", when the Liberator Simon Bolivar spent the night there, with his army, being among them, the Colonel of the British Legion James Rook, hero of the battle.
The Property was adapted like a hospital and headquarters, during the civil wars.
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In 1930, the municipality of Paipa took possession of the main thermomineral water deposits of the Property. Years later the Department of Boyacá acquired it by purchase to the last one of the four single proprietary sisters.
Part of its land was adjudged to farmers and public institutions, in which, the first swimming pools, the Sochagota lake, the airport of Paipa and the first hotels were constructed.
Meanwhile the Big Property, also called Casona del Salitre, today Hotel Hacienda del Salitre, had many different uses ,as convent, retirement.
In 1969 ,on the occasion of the Sesquicentenario of the Liberating Campaign, it became like rustic Hotel of first category.
In 1972 it was declared as National Monument.
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