Founded by francisco de Paula Santander in 183 is the oldest museum in Colombia, since 1948 is located in the old building previously named Panóptico de Cundinamarca builded in 1873 ad a prison by the architect thomas Reed.
Is the third big collection of Colombiam pieces after "Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de la Univeridad nacional" and the gold museum of the republic bank with 30.000 pieces in stock, Thi museum is divided in 4 cathegories: ethnography, history, art and archeology.
This colection make a tour from ancient civilizations from 10.000 BC to Colombian indian samples of the XX century; Also include paints and drawings from the colonial age to ours.
The national museum is an illustrated visit about international artists, besides the architecture from the colonial age.