Aerial View of the San Jorge FarmICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
In 1998 the Ministry of Culture of Colombia declared La Granja San Jorge (San Jorge Farm) of Ibague as National Heritage. Layout and construction started in 1912 by Italian and Salesian Father Giovanni Buscaglione.
NorthWest Facade PhotogrammetryICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
The property is a cultural testimony of the works carried out by the Salesian community upon its arrival to Colombia and its aesthetic and technological values are related to the handling of architectural style of early 20th century in Colombia.
Aerial View of the San Jorge FarmICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Its natural value is exalted in the integrity of the building and its 130-hectare surroundings, an extension formerly dedicated to agricultural activities. The site is integrated into the San Jorge Botanical Garden.
This is representative as an example of a 60-hectare natural reserve of Sub Andean forest with a biodiversity of more than 1200 floristics varieties, 152 bird species, butterflies, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
Significance
The farm of San Jorge is an example of knowledge development and the first productive hydraulical and agronomical practices in the region coming from the Agronomic School of San Jorge and based the foundation of University of Tolima in 1955.
San Jorge Farm EntranceICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
A reserve of sub-Andean forest is located on the property. Due to an altitude of 1,100 - 1,200 m.a.s.l. it is part of a key biodiversity hotspot of the coffee ecoregion of Colombia.
The San Jorge Botanical Garden develops scientific research and is regionally important due to its biological registers in floristic and faunal species.
San Jorge Farm CourtyardICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
The farm represents the architectural heritage of old Salesian cloister built with handcrafted brick and a construction technique using neoclassical and republican middle point arches. It represents the aesthetic and technological values of the building.
SouthWest Facade PhotogrammetryICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Sam Jorge Farm belongs to a current of remarkable works by Italian architects in Colombia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Threat
The property is under urbanization pressure caused by housing projects in the Calambeo sector in Ibagué. As national heritage, the site requires the approval of a Special Protection and Management Plan that complies with all the technical and approval criteria of the National Heritage Council. Until this happens, the Ministry of Culture has warned the municipality of Ibague that it must be aware of any intervention or avoid any project in its buffer zone.
Recent digital documentation studies by Universidad de Ibagué have revealed pathologies detecting cracks and fissures and pest adhesions in the building.
NorthWest Facade TechnicalICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
It needs a restoration project and intervention of its façades and roofs. The structure of building is not implicated.
MSc. Juan Felipe Solís
PhD. César Augusto Velandia
Researchers. Architecture program. Universidad de Ibagué. Colombia
ICOMOS Colombia National Committee
Adviser: PhD. Mario Santana. Carleton University - ICOMOS
For more hidden heritage sites under threat:
Hidden Heritage Under Threat: Norman Monastery
Hidden Heritage Under Threat: Lavrio Historic Wharf
Hidden Heritage: Yangon's Secretariat
