Slogan of the city
Colombia ranks as the world’s third-largest coffee producer, leading in the production of washed Arabica beans. The nation is renowned for its premium coffee quality, with the United States receiving around half of its coffee exports. Each year, Colombia exports close to 12.5 million bags, while its local consumption stands at around 2 million bags.

 History
On December 18, 1538, Spanish captain Pedro de Añasco established a settlement in the Laboyos Valley, originally named Guacacallo, situated on a terrace overlooking the Cálamo River. This settlement was pivotal in bridging the trade and travel routes between Quito, Popayán, and Bogotá. Nevertheless, frequent assaults from local indigenous groups, including the Andaquíes, and an incident involving Cacica Gaitana, led to its relocation northward near the Timaná River. Today, a town bearing the same name stands there.
This settlement was the pioneering Spanish establishment in the southern part of Alto Magdalena. Its inception not only facilitated movement and trade but also enabled the Spaniards to explore territories of the Andaquíes (eastwards in today’s Caquetá department) and the Mocoas (southwards into the current Putumayo department, reaching the Amazon). Subsequently, a royal roadway was inaugurated from Timaná to Pasto via Páramo de las Papas, providing a more straightforward path bypassing Popayán.
From its beginning, spiritual hubs were created where indigenous communities resided, including the Laboyos tribe’s village. After the village’s relocation, its original site continued as a spiritual hub.
By 1818, José Hilario Sierra took on the role of Catholic priest for the “Los Laboyos” vice-parish. That same year, several Laboyos residents chose to relocate to Pitalito, located two miles northeast, drawn by its rich soils, temperate climate, ample water supply, and accessibility to building materials. This shift led to a swift depopulation of Laboyos, with most inhabitants eventually settling in Pitalito’s Cálamo estate, while the neighboring Solarte estate boasted over two thousand livestock.
Observing his parish members’ migration, Dr. Sierra moved to Pitalito, where he erected a modest chapel, which still exists today as the Temple of San Antonio. By 1819, he had outlined the town square and streets opposite the chapel.
As the community burgeoned over three years, there arose a need for governance. The duty fell to Don Jorge de Cuéllar, the son of an influential figure, Don Luis de Cuéllar, from Timaná. Notably, Don Luis hailed from an illustrious lineage, being the descendant of Don Jerónimo de Cuéllar, an Andalusian noble from Spain.