Last updated on December 19, 2023.

El Centro is the city center of Medellín. It contains some of the city’s most important landmarks. It’s also a great place to observe daily life. El Centro is officially known as La Candelaria and corresponds to Comuna 10.

El Centro, Medellín
El Centro, Medellín

 

Parque Berrío

The heart of Medellín is situated around Parque Berrío, which is a great place to start exploring El Centro. This park is full of street vendors and is a great place to people watch. It also contains some public art and monuments as well as an important church.

Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Parque Berrío

 

History of Parque Berrío

Parque Berrío dates back to 1649, when the first La Candelaria Church (see below) was built. At that time, it was called Main Plaza (Plaza Principal) and was where parishioners would gather before and after mass. Between 1784 and 1892, the park served as a public market and an execution site, and many of the wealthiest families in the city lived around it. It was renamed for politician Pedro Justo Berrío (1827-1875) on June 29, 1895.

Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Parque Berrío

In the 1920s, the mansions around Parque Berrío were demolished and modern banks were built in their place, converting the park into the most important financial center of Medellín. It was redesigned in the early 1990s to accommodate a new metro station. Today, Parque Berrío is an important meeting place full of street vendors and is a great place to people watch.

A street vendor in Parque Berrío

 

Berrío Statue

In the center of the park is a statue of Pedro Justo Berrío. It was made in Rome by Italian sculptor Giovanni Anderlini and unveiled in 1895. Anderlini used three photographs of Berrío as a reference when making the statue.

Pedro Justo Berrío statue at Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Pedro Justo Berrío statue

The Berrío statue, which sits on a pedestal made of Carrara marble, replaced the city’s first metal water fountain. Before the fountain there was a stone basin that stood from 1789 to 1853.

Pedro Justo Berrío statue in Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Pedro Justo Berrío statue

 

La Candelaria Church

On the east side of Parque Berrío sits the Basilica of Our Lady of La Candelaria (Basílica de la Candelaria). It’s the oldest and most important church in Medellín. The first church on the site was built out of wood with a thatched roof in 1649 by priest Don Juan Gómez de Ureña.

La Candelaria Church on Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
La Candelaria Church
La Candelaria Church

The current church was built between 1768 and 1776. It served as the seat of the Archdiocese of Medellín from 1868 to 1931, when the Metropolitan Cathedral was completed on nearby Parque Bolívar. It was named a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI on December 8, 1970.

La Candelaria Church on Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
La Candelaria Church
Altar
Right aisle

 

Bank of the Republic

On the south side of Parque Berrío is the Medellín branch of the Bank of the Republic (Banco de la República). It hosts the Philatelic Museum (Museo Filatélico), which is open weekdays from 8am to 5pm and free of charge (as of May 2023). A nice fountain faces the park.

Bank of the Republic
Fountain on Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Fountain

 

La Gorda

On the southwest corner of the park, in front of the Bank of the Republic, is one of Colombian artist Fernando Botero’s (1932-2023) most famous works, La Gorda. He donated it to the city in 1987. It stands 3.3 meters high and is 2.4 meters wide. The official name of the sculpture is Female Torso and it’s made of bronze.

La Gorda at Parque Berrío in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
La Gorda

 

The Challenge

Finally, on the southeast corner is another sculpture The Challenge (El Desafío), by Colombian sculptor Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt (1919-1995). It was unveiled in 1980 and stands 18 meters high.

The Challenge

 

Plazoleta Nutibara

On the other side of the metro tracks from Parque Berrío and to the north is Plazoleta Nutibara, with lots of palm trees and more street vendors.

Plazoleta Nutibara in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Plazoleta Nutibara
Plazoleta Nutibara
Plazoleta Nutibara

 

Metro Murals

Under the metro station, you’ll find an interesting mural sitting behind glass panels. It tells a progressive story from one end to the other about the department of Antioquia. The mural was painted by Colombian artist Pedro Nel Gómez (1899-1984) in 1956. It was originally located at the Banco Popular.

Mural under the metro station in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Mural under the metro station
Mural under the metro station

 

Hotel Nutibara

Hotel Nutibara, located on the north side of Plazoleta Nutibara, is one of the most important historic hotels in Medellín. It was built between 1940 and 1945 and designed by American architect Paul Williams (1894-1980). In its heyday, it was the place all celebrities visiting Medellín wanted to stay. Nowadays, it’s a simple three star hotel.

Hotel Nutibara
Hotel Nutibara

 

Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture

The beautiful building on Plazoleta Nutibara is the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture (Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe), which is covered in another entry. It was built between 1925 and 1937 to house the offices of the department of Antioquia.

Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture
Dome of the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Dome
Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture
Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture from the north

 

Plaza Botero

On the other side of the Palace of Culture is Plaza Botero, which is full of sculptures by important Colombian artist Fernando Botero. It’s one of the most popular places to visit in El Centro and all of Medellín.

Plaza Botero in the Medellín city center, Colombia
Plaza Botero
Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Plaza Botero
Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Plaza Botero

Botero created his subjects using exaggerated volume, getting a reaction of humor or criticism depending on the subject. His works of art include sculpture as well as many paintings, and they’ve been exhibited all over the world.

Caballo (Horse) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Caballo (Horse)
Mujer con fruta (Woman with Fruit) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Mujer con fruta (Woman with Fruit)
Hombre a caballo (Man on Horse) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Hombre a caballo (Man on Horse)
Cabeza (Head) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Cabeza (Head)

There are 23 sculptures found in Plaza Botero. All of them were donated by the artist to the city of Medellín in 2004. Botero was born in the city in 1932.

Pensamiento (Thought) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Pensamiento (Thought)
Adán y Eva (Adam and Eve) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Adán y Eva (Adam and Eve)
Esfinge (Sphinx) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Esfinge (Sphinx)
Rapto de Europa (Rape of Europe) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Rapto de Europa (Rape of Europe)

The sculptures represent all kinds of people and animals in many forms.

Gato (Cat) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Gato (Cat)
Perro (Dog) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Perro (Dog)
Mujer vestida (Dressed Woman) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Mujer vestida (Dressed Woman)
Hombre vestido (Dressed Man) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Hombre vestido (Dressed Man)

It’s said to be good luck to rub the sculptures. You’ll find places where people have rubbed them the most, but be careful, they can get hot in the sun!

Mujer con espejo (Woman with Mirror) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Mujer con espejo (Woman with Mirror)
Mano (Hand) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Mano (Hand)
Soldado romano (Roman Soldier) at Plaza Botero in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Soldado romano (Roman Soldier)

 

Avenida Carabobo

The pedestrianized section of Avenida Carabobo runs from north to south starting on the west side of Plaza Botero. There are a few points of interest along the way.

 

Antioquia Museum

The Antioquia Museum is the second oldest museum in Colombia and worth a visit. It features several works of art, including many important paintings and sculptures by Botero.

Antioquia Museum
Antioquia Museum

 

Veracruz Church

A few steps south is the Veracruz Church (Iglesia de la Veracruz). It dates back to 1682 and is the only colonial style church in the city. The current building was completed in 1803 and the main altar is from Spain.

Veracruz Church in the Medellín city center, Colombia
Veracruz Church
Veracruz Church in the Medellín city center, Colombia
Veracruz Church

 

Excavated Sewers

Next to the church are the remains of a historic sewer system dating back to the early years of Medellín. They were found during street work and sit under glass for visitors to see.

Historic sewer

 

National Palace

Further down the street is the National Palace (Palacio Nacional). This impressive former government building now houses a shopping mall. It was built between 1924 and 1933 and was designed by Belgian architect Augustin Goovaerts (1885-1939).

National Palace
National Palace
National Palace
National Palace
Clock tower of the National Palace

It’s definitely worth popping in to see the interior as well. The arches on all levels as well as the skylights in the ceiling and the tiled floor are nice to see. It’s one of my favorite buildings in the city. The only thing I don’t like are the escalators that were added.

Interior of the National Palace
Interior of the National Palace in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Interior of the National Palace
Corridor

 

Street Markets

Perhaps the best thing about El Centro in Medellín isn’t the buildings or public art, but observing life on the street. Walk down Avenida Carabobo and through the pedestrianized streets surrounding Parque Berrío and Plaza Botero and you’ll see hundreds of street vendors selling clothing, food, household goods, DVDs, beauty products, and much more. A friend pointed out to me that this is where everyday locals go to shop, not in the fancy shopping malls or boutique brick and mortar stores.

Street market
Street market
Street market
Street market

 

Plaza Cisneros

A block west of the south end of pedestrianized Avenida Carabobo is Plaza Cisneros. It once held the city’s main marketplace and is located across the street from La Alpujarra Administrative Center.

Plaza Cisneros in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Plaza Cisneros
Plaza Cisneros (center) in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Plaza Cisneros (center)

 

Medellín is Light

The center of Plaza Cisneros is filled with 300 artificial light poles standing up to 24m tall. They were placed there in an effort to rejuvenate the area. The plaza is often referred to as Lights Park (Parque de las Luces), and the poles light up at night. The project is called Medellín is Light.

Plaza Cisneros in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Plaza Cisneros
Plaza Cisneros in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Plaza Cisneros
Looking up at the light poles at Plaza Cisneros in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Looking up at the light poles

 

EPM Library

On one end of the plaza is the EPM Library (Biblioteca EPM). It’s sponsored by EPM, a large public utilities company, and opened on June 2, 2005. It contains a collection specializing in technology, science, industry, and the environment.

EPM Library in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
EPM Library
EPM Library in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
EPM Library

 

Carré Building

On the other end of the plaza are two historic buildings. The Carré Building (Edificio Carré) was designed by French architect Charles Carré at the end of the 19th century. It was a symbol of modernity at the time it was built, but later fell into serious decay. The building was restored in 2003 and now holds offices.

Carré Building in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Carré Building

 

Vásquez Building

The Vásquez Building (Edificio Vásquez) shares a similar story and was also restored. It was designed after large dryers from Antioquian coffee farms. It currently holds the offices of the Medellín Secretary of Education.

Vásquez Building in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Vásquez Building

 

Medellín Station

Plaza Cisneros is named after Francisco Javier Cisneros (1836-1898), a Cuban engineer who led the construction of the Antioquia Railway. A statue of Cisneros stands outside the historic Medellín Station across the street. It was sculpted by Marco Tobón Mejía (1876-1933).

Statue of Francisco Javier Cisneros in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Statue of Francisco Javier Cisneros

Medellín Station (Estación Medellín) was inaugurated in 1914 as the terminus of the railway. It was designed by Enrique Olarte and was expanded several times over the following 20 years. The building currently houses offices and shops.

Medellín Station in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Medellín Station
Medellín Station in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Medellín Station
Medellín Station in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Medellín Station

 

Parque San Antonio

A few blocks east of Plaza Cisneros is Parque San Antonio, a wide open square with a few sculptures.

Parque San Antonio in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Parque San Antonio
Parque San Antonio
Parque San Antonio

Down the stairs to the south and across the street is an extension of the square with trees and a fountain.

Parque San Antonio
Parque San Antonio
Path through the plaza
Fountain
Fountain

 

Botero Sculptures

The most notorious sculpture at Parque San Antonio is dedicated to 29 people who were killed by a bomb in the square on June 10, 1995. The bomb was hidden inside a sculpture of a bird by Fernando Botero. The remains of the sculpture stand as a memorial to the victims while a replica of the same sculpture sits nearby.

Bombed out Botero sculpture in Parque San Antonio in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Bombed out Botero sculpture
Rear of the bombed out Botero sculpture
Rear of the bombed out Botero sculpture
Dedication on the base of the bombed out Botero sculpture
Dedication on the base of the bombed out Botero sculpture
Bird sculptures
Bird sculptures side by side

Two other Botero sculptures grace the square. One is Sleeping Venus (Venus Durmiente), and another is Masculine Torso (Torso Masculino). Both were sculpted out of bronze in 1994.

Sleeping Venus
Sleeping Venus
Masculine Torso
Masculine Torso

 

French Alliance

One side of the green area of the park contains the French Alliance (Alliance Francaise), which is a French cultural center and a place for locals to learn the French language.

French Alliance
French Alliance

 

Church of San Antonio

Opposite is the Church of San Antonio (Iglesia de San Antonio), built between 1874 and 1902. The church was started by Friar Benjamin Maciantonio, and was designated an agency of the Holy Land by Pope John Paul II. The church has one of the biggest domes in Colombia.

Church of San Antonio
Church of San Antonio
Church of San Antonio in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Church of San Antonio
Rear of the Church of San Antonio
Rear of the Church of San Antonio

 

Parque Bolívar

Parque Bolívar is a public park located in the Villanueva neighborhood of El Centro in Medellín. It’s a short walk northeast of Parque Berrío. The park occupies two blocks, covers an area of about 14,400 square meters, and is landscaped with native trees.

Parque Bolívar in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Parque Bolívar

 

History of Parque Bolívar

Parque Bolívar was developed on land donated in 1844 by British engineer James Tyrell Moore (1803-1881). He wanted the neighborhood to be called New London in honor of his hometown, and its focal point to be a plaza named for Simón Bolívar (1783-1830). The neighborhood was officially named Villanueva, and construction on the park didn’t begin until 1888. Architects designed the park in a French style.

Looking south at Parque Bolívar in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Looking south

Parque Bolívar was inaugurated on October 12, 1892, on the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. It was originally surrounded by an iron fence. In 1900, local industrialist Alejandro Echavarría (1859-1928) donated a bronze fountain from New York City. Electric lighting was added in 1907. In 1923, the fountain was replaced by a statue of Simón Bolívar (see below). The iron fence was removed in 1934. Both the fountain and the statue were transferred to San Vicente de Paul University Hospital (Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl) where they remain to this day.

From the early 1980s to around 2020, the park suffered from security issues. Thanks to a revitalization program and increased police presence, the situation has improved drastically. Parque Bolívar has recovered to become an important meeting place and cultural area visited by locals and tourists alike. It hosts open-air concerts, street theatre, and other events. The traditional San Alejo Market, a craft fair, takes place there on the first Saturday of each month.

San Alejo Market at Parque Bolívar in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
San Alejo Market

 

Bolívar Statue

In the center of the park is an equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar. It was designed by Italian sculptor Giovanni Anderlini and cast by another Italian sculptor, Eugenio Maccagnani (1852-1930). The base was designed by Belgian architect Augustin Goovaerts  and made of white marble. The statue was delivered from Genoa to Medellín and was inaugurated on August 6, 1923, by President Pedro Nel Ospina (1858-1927).

Simón Bolívar statue at Parque Bolívar in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Simón Bolívar statue

 

Metropolitan Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana), which is covered in another entry, sits at the north end of the park. The cathedral is the largest and one of the most important churches in Medellín. It’s also one of the most impressive buildings in the city and one of the largest brick buildings in the world.

Metropolitan Cathedral on Parque Bolívar in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Metropolitan Cathedral

 

Home of Pastor Restrepo Maya

Finally, on the southwest corner of Parque Bolívar is the home of Pastor Restrepo Maya (1839-1909), a local industrialist and photographer. Built around 1872 and designed by architect Juan Lalinde Lema, it’s one of the oldest and most important historic homes in Medellín. It predates the park and cathedral. Unfortunately, the ground floor has been completely mutilated to accommodate shops. When I walked by, the upper floor contained an exhibition of photos by Restrepo but I was unable to visit.

House of Pastor Restrepo Maya at Parque Bolívar in El Centro, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
House of Pastor Restrepo Maya

 

Prado

Prado is a neighborhood in the northern section of El Centro in Medellín. Its architecture is considered important to the city’s heritage. Although Prado is only a few blocks north of Parque Bolívar, there’s not much of a reason to go out of your way to see it. There are only a few minor points of interest.

 

History of Prado

Prado was developed in 1926 by urban planner Ricardo Olano. It first hosted the business elite, who built their houses in European and American styles with large front yards. The face of the neighborhood began to change as these wealthy residents left for more modern and luxurious properties in Laureles and El Poblado. Today, there are 261 properties in Prado under protection as heritage properties.

 

Egyptian Palace

One of the most eccentric buildings in Medellín is the Egyptian Palace (Palacio Egipcio). It was the home of the city’s first ophthalmologist and egyptologist, Fernando Estrada.

Egyptian Palace in Prado, El Centro, Medellín, Colombia
Egyptian Palace

Inspired by books, notes, objects, and ideas he brought from Egypt, Estrada commissioned architect Nel Rodríguez to design the home. Construction began in 1928 and took 12 years to complete. When it was finished, the Egyptian Palace became an amazing recreation of ancient Egyptian architecture. There was even a local legend that a bust of Queen Nefertiti used by Estrada as a decoration was an original, while the one at the Neues Museum in Berlin was actually a fake!

Egyptian Palace in Prado, El Centro, Medellín, Colombia
Egyptian Palace

Estrada and his wife, who had 14 children, lived in the house until his death in 1973. After that, the house served as a school, restaurant, and event center. It’s currently a museum featuring rotating exhibitions about ancient Egyptian art and culture, academic seminars, and more. Unfortunately, it was closed when I walked by, but I’ll try to visit on my next trip to Medellín.

 

Prado Theatre

A couple blocks away is a mansion housing the Prado Theatre (Teatro Prado), home of El Águila Descalza, a local comedic theatre group created in 1980. It was built in 1916 by Heliodoro Medina, one of the city’s first industrialists, and was originally known as Palacio Medina. The architect was his brother, Tulio Medina, who designed it in the Palladian style. In 1919, it won an award for the most beautiful façade in Medellín. The mansion was purchased in 1922 by Carlos Cipriano Rodríguez, whose family lived there for the next six decades.

Prado Theatre in Prado, El Centro, Medellín, Colombia
Prado Theatre

In 1988, El Águila Descalza acquired the mansion and converted it into a theatre that can hold 460 people. Other spaces are used for exhibitions, meetings, seminars, and other programs. Around 200 events are held there annually.

 

Map of El Centro in Medellín

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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