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 Río
Claro Ecological Park
The Park consists of numerous stalactite
and stalagmite-dotted caves through
which strong-currented rivers flow.
These caves serve as the natural habitat
of guacharos, or oilbirds, that
fly through the nearby forests at night.
The tour starts at the Danta, or
Tapir, Cave, continues through the
Condor Cave and finally traverses the
Jerusalem Cave. The Claro River forms a
canyon, known as the Marble Canyon.
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 El
Peñol Lake
This artificial lake 70 kilometers from
Medellín, where water sports, such as
sports fishing, are practiced, is
dominated by a huge rock 100 m in
diameter, known as El Peñol. Tourists
can ascend the 60,000 ton, 200 m-high
rock by climbing some 650-stairs to
enjoy a view of the Antioquian
landscape.
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Santafé
de Antioquia
Santafé de Antioquia is located 75
kilometers from the departmental
capital. Founded by Marshal Jorge
Robledo in 1541, it is today considered
one of the country’s most beautiful
colonial cities.
Its historical center, declared a
national monument, contains edifices
dating from the end of the sixteenth
century, such as the Cathedral, which
was built between 1779 and 1837. Other
buildings worth visiting include Casa
Negra (the Black House), the City Hall
(Cabildo), the Hermitage (la Ermita) and
the Museum.
The Western Bridge, a National Monument
at the edge of town, is an imposing
example of late eighteenth century
engineering. A steel-braced hanging
wooden structure, it is adorned with
brick towers.
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Settled
by muleteers and men of peace who became
tenacious and industrious workers, zealous and
hard-working in their desire to build a
homeland and who, in their love for their land
and appreciation of its bounty, forged a
history that is the pride of Colombia.
Antioquia Department
Blessed by a privileged geographic location,
Antioquia department enjoys all climates, from
mild seaside breezes through the cooler valley
temperatures of the Atrato, Magdalena and
Cauca rivers, to the Andean frost on the high
peaks of the Western and Central Cordilleras.
Thanks to the vigorous efforts of its
inhabitants, Antioquia contributes heavily to
Colombia’s economy. Its dynamic and
developed economy is textile and
fashion-driven. At the same time, it is a
major banana, coffee, gold and silver producer
and its performances in stock raising and
tobacco, bean, yucca and corn farming are
outstanding.
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Access |
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Antioquia
department is interconnected by land with the
rest of the country: the departments of
Córdoba, Choco, Risaralda, Caldas,
Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Santander and Bolívar.
Tourists are able to move easily through the
department, thanks to its excellent paved
roads.
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Tourist Attractions |
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 Medellín
This city, which was founded in 1616 in the
spurs of the Central Cordillera, is known as
the “city of eternal springtime” or the
“mountain capital” because of its
excellent geographic location.
Medellín’s progress was tied to the
flourishing of coffee production. Most of the
city’s inhabitants are descendants of the
Basque immigrants who settled these lands.
They brought with them their customs which,
combined with those that already existed
there, generated the Paisa culture,
known for its distinctive tone of voice,
cooking and customs.
Medellín, as the departmental capital, enjoys
an intense cultural life and recreational
activities.
The Museums of Modern Art, Antioquia, the
Banco de la República (national bank), Pedro
Nel Gómez and Antioquia University bear this
out.
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 Nutibara
Hill
City dwellers and travelers can enjoy a lovely
view from this Medellín landmark and visit
permanent exhibits of local and foreign
artists at the Sculpture Park.
A small replica of Antioquia’s towns, known
as Paisa Village, shows examples of
traditional adobe houses with clay tiled roofs
and handsome balconies, where typical
Colombian handicrafts, such as carrieles,
or shoulder bags, Panama hats, ceramics and
wooden articles are on sale.
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 Joaquín
Uribe Botanical Garden
The orchid collection is the piece de
resistance of the Botanical Garden, which also
boasts a wide variety of palms, heliconiaceae,
ornamental gardens, and forest, medicinal and
aromatic species.
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 Shopping
Centers
The textiles and garments for which Medellín
is known are exhibited in the city’s various
shopping centers.
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 La
Veraruz Church
Located on Veracruz Square, the church was
built in 1682 and restored in the nineteenth
century.
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 La
candelaria (Candlemas) Basilica
The main altar of this eighteenth century
basilica showcases the majestic retable of Our
Lady of Candlemas.
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 Flower
festival
Every year Antioquians prepare to enjoy this
traditional festival, in which the “Silleteros’
Parade” shows off the beauty and many hues,
not only of the flowers, but also of the
floral arrangements.
The “silleteros,” or flower-growers,
descend from the mountain dressed in their
traditional best, bearing on their shoulders
their flower-decked “silletas” (a type of
saddle). These Colombian farmers parade
through the city to the rhythm of “tiplero”
guitars and typical bands accompanied by
dancing groups.
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