Ocaña, city, Norte de Santander departamento, northern Colombia, in the Hacarí valley. Founded (c. 1570) as Nueva Madrid by Francisco Fernández, the city was renamed for Ocaña in New Castile, Spain. An independence convention that was held there in 1828 is commemorated by a triumphal arch. Barium mining and onion growing are basic economic activities. Ocaña is the superior court of a judicial district and is the seat of a diocese. The Palacio de Bellas Artes is associated with the National University of Colombia in Bogotá. Pop. (2007 est.) 81,752.