Archivo Histórico de Cali Cali Historical Archive

About the Cali Historical Archive

The Archivo Histórico de Cali (Cali Historical Archive) is the official municipal repository responsible for preserving, organizing, and providing access to the documentary heritage of Santiago de Cali, Colombia. It is attached to the Subsecretaría de Patrimonio, Bibliotecas e Infraestructura Cultural of the Secretaría de Cultura and is located in the Centro Cultural de Cali.

History and Founding

The archive was established by Municipal Decree No. 378 of June 24, 1958. Its collections document the administrative, judicial, and notarial history of Cali and the surrounding Valle del Cauca region from 1564 to 2006, making it one of the oldest and most comprehensive documentary records in Colombia.

Collections and Holdings

The archive holds approximately 9,000 volumes of institutional documentation from public entities that have existed in Cali and its region from 1564 to 2006. Holdings are organized into five documentary fonds: the Cabildo–Concejo (council documents from 1564 to 1939), as well as fonds covering notarial records, judicial documents, and other institutional records. The archive also includes a collection of old photographs of Cali from a private collection, available for consultation. Materials span the Colonial period through the 20th century institutional consolidation, making the archive an essential resource for researchers studying urban history, architecture, law, genealogy, and the social history of the Colombian Pacific region.

Access and Usage

The archive is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Centro Cultural de Cali, office 207. Researchers may consult documents in the reading room; gloves, masks, and pencils are required. The archive also provides photocopies of public deeds (escrituras públicas) from 1930 to 1968. Academic programs, workshops, talks, and temporary exhibitions are organized periodically.