This impressive 120-million-year-old baby-kronosaurus fossil is the world’s most complete specimen of this prehistoric marine reptile. The fossil is 7m long – the creature was about 12m in size, but the tail did not survive – and it remains in place exactly where it was found in 1977. Museum staff can explain how the fossil was found and direct you around several other paleontological specimens in the same museum.

The fossil is off the road to Santa Sofía, 6km west of Villa de Leyva. You can walk here in a bit more than an hour, or take the Santa Sofía bus, which will drop you off 80m from the fossil.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Estación Astronómica Muisca

1.23 MILES

The Estación Astronómica Muisca dates from the early centuries AD and was used by the Muiscas to determine the seasons. This Stonehenge-like site contains…

3. Casa de Barro

1.53 MILES

One of Villa de Leyva's most magnificent buildings is the Gaudí-esque Casa de Barro, an artistic house made from entirely handworked clay fired in stages…

4. Casa Museo de Antonio Nariño

2.33 MILES

Antonio Nariño was known as the forefather of Colombia's independence and Casa Museo de Antonio Nariño is the house where he spent the last two months of…

5. Casa Museo de Luis Alberto Acuña

2.39 MILES

Villa de Leyva's best museum features works by one of Colombia's most influential painters, sculptors, writers and historians, Luis Alberto Acuña (1904–93…

6. Casa Quintero

2.4 MILES

Casa Quintero is a fully restored colonial mansion and gourmet food court just off Plaza Mayor.

7. Museo del Carmen

2.41 MILES

Apparently one of best museums of religious art in the country, the Museo del Carmen is housed in the convent of the same name. The fairly average…

8. Plaza Mayor

2.41 MILES

At 120m by 120m, Plaza Mayor is one of the largest town squares in the Americas. It's paved with massive cobblestones and surrounded by magnificent…