The municipality of Ambalema is located in the northeastern part of the Tolima Department. Founded by Lesmes Espinoza in 1627, later, Luis Serdino y Monzón established the boundaries of the Ambalema reserve in 1656, which is the origin of the current municipality, officially established in 1776. It is situated on the left bank of the Magdalena River, and its lands are also irrigated by the Recio, Venadillo, and Lagunilla rivers. This Tolima municipality was declared a National Historic Monument in 1980 due to its architectural heritage.