After
serving nearly 180 years the observatory currently forms part of Casa de
Nariño set of buildings, the home of Presidents of the Republic of
Colombia. The first observatory located in Spanish speaking America as a
direct result of Botanic Expedition activities.Construction started in 1803 and inaugurated August 20, 1804. Total work cost amounted to $13.815 pesos. Shaped in the form of octagonal tower 13 king feet sides and 56 high. A pretended attic crowns the entire building also serving as sill. A hole in the second dome opens the way to a sunray, which paints the sun image on the room pavement crossed by a meridian line and forming a gnomon 37 feet and 7 inches high.
The upper dome is hemispheric drilled in the center and holding an open top floor. On the octagon side looking southwest the spiral stairs leading to the main rooms and the upper terrace.
