Perched above the rushing waters of the Bogotá River, Hotel del Salto has stood as a witness to numerous tales and eerie incidents for nearly a century. Originally a private residence, this building was transformed into a hotel in 1928. Known for its somber allure, Hotel Del Salto is notorious for the despair that seemingly compels individuals to jump from the nearby cliffs, a grim tradition steeped in ancient folklore.
As the building transitions into its second century, it now functions as a museum. Despite—or perhaps because of—its macabre history and the chilling stories that echo through its halls, it continues to attract guests from all corners of the globe. The allure of its dark past and the breathtaking views it offers are compelling reasons for many to visit, ensuring its legacy endures.
How The Mansion Of Tequendama Falls Became Haunted?
Tequendama Falls, directly translated from the Chibcha language of the indigenous Muisca people as “he who precipitated downward,” holds a narrative steeped in both tragedy and transformation. Legend has it that the Muisca leapt from these falls to escape Spanish conquest in the 1500s, miraculously turning into eagles mid-descent, soaring away from capture.
In another tale, the gods intervened to prevent a catastrophic flood in Bogotá by creating these very falls, positioning them as a bastion of survival. This area, once brimming with natural beauty, saw its environment altered by the introduction of dams and electricity in the 20th century.
The Mansion of Tequendama Falls, established in 1923 during Pedro Nel Ospina’s presidency, showcased the opulence of the 1920s with its expansive windows and French architectural designs by Carlos Arturo Tapias. Initially a beacon of social gatherings, the mansion was converted into a hotel in 1928, reaching its zenith before succumbing to the economic strains of the 1930s.
By the 1950s, failed attempts to renovate the hotel into a grand 18-story establishment marked the beginning of its decline, exacerbated by severe pollution in the Bogotá River. The site gradually fell out of favor, shuttering in the 1990s and subsequently attracting those fascinated by its desolate state and rumored hauntings.
Decades of sorrowful leaps from its ledges, combined with the ancient lore of its surroundings, have fueled beliefs that the hotel and falls are not just historically significant but also supernaturally charged. Some even suggest that a curse by the Muisca lingers over the land where the hotel stands.
The Alleged Hauntings And Accidents
The Hotel del Salto was notorious not only for its tragic past but also for the eerie occurrences reported by those who visited. Guests often spoke of seeing apparitions within the hotel corridors and near the cascading falls outside. There were also accounts of hushed voices speaking an unfamiliar language, believed by some to be the lingering spirits of the Muisca people.
In one chilling incident, the negative energy surrounding the falls was blamed for inciting a guest to commit a heinous crime against a young socialite, her life tragically ended in a room that now seems to harbor her restless spirit, observed occasionally at the window of the very room where she met her untimely end.
During the years the hotel lay vacant, the atmosphere was thick with the sounds of mysterious cries at night, adding to its haunted reputation. The approach to the hotel was no less ominous, marked by frequent mudslides and accidents, which some interpreted as signs of supernatural interference.
Even during its operational days, the hotel frequently found itself entwined in police investigations related to numerous fatalities at the falls, further tarnishing its appeal as a hospitable destination.
Despite warnings for tourists to remain near the hotel during nighttime hours to avoid accidental falls from the precarious edges, there have been numerous instances of guests falling from the balcony under mysterious circumstances. The offensive odor from the polluted waters of the Bogotá River below only added to the grim aura surrounding the place, with toxins so potent that aquatic life was non-existent in areas.
However, a shift began in 2011, with concerted efforts to rehabilitate the once-doomed structure, sparking a faint hope for its restoration and a new chapter away from its dark history.
Hotel Del Salto Today
In 2011, the National University of Colombia’s Institute of Natural Sciences and the Ecological Farm Foundation of Porvenir joined forces to breathe new life into the once-dilapidated Hotel del Salto. This partnership aimed not to revive its past as a vacation destination but to repurpose it into a vibrant cultural center.
The facility, rebranded as the Tequendama Falls Museum of Biodiversity and Culture, now stands as a testament to the nation’s rich heritage and commitment to ecological stewardship. By 2013, the transformation was marked by the opening of its first exhibition titled “Caverns, ecosystems of the subterranean world,” which highlighted the local biodiversity and the wonders of aquatic ecosystems.
Today, the former hotel welcomes those eager to explore its corridors and learn about its history and environmental efforts, but only during daylight hours. The museum closes at 5 p.m., steering clear of the evening hours when, according to local lore, spectral figures are rumored to emerge.
