Last updated on December 19, 2023.

The town of Santuario, sitting high in the mountains, is one of the most beautiful towns in the department of Risaralda. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia and was founded on July 20, 1886 by settlers from southwest Antioquia.

 

Town Gate

The road to the town passes through an arch with a statue of the Virgin on top. It’s one of the most important symbols of Santuario.

Town gate
Town gate
Statue of the Virgin on the town gate
Statue of the Virgin on the town gate

 

Plaza

The town plaza is the center of life in Santuario. It contains lots of nice tall trees and plenty of places to sit. It’s been remodeled since my first visit in February 2015 and looks much nicer.

Plaza
Plaza in June 2019
Plaza
Plaza in June 2019
Plaza in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Looking up at the trees in the plaza
Plaza
Plaza in June 2019

The center of the plaza features a bust of Simón Bolívar, the liberator of Colombia. Scattered throughout are small monuments and decorations. One of them is a monument to the founders of Santuario, dedicated on November 14, 1973.

Plaza in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Plaza in February 2015
Center of the plaza in June 2019
Center of the plaza in June 2019
Coffee processing machine used as a planter
Coffee processing machine used as a planter
Monument to the founders of Santuario
Monument to the founders of Santuario

 

Buildings around the Plaza

Around the plaza are a few colonial buildings, including the Plaza de Mercado, a hotel, shops, and private residences. The streets have been narrowed down to a single lane and the sidewalks amplified to allow businesses to put more tables outside and more space for people to walk. It’s a wonderful change that has been positive for the town.

Plaza in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Street around the plaza in February 2015
Street around the plaza in June 2019
Street around the plaza in June 2019
Street around the plaza in June 2019
View of the street around the plaza in June 2019 from Plaza de Mercado

One of my favorite buildings is decorated with tiles from top to bottom. It’s a residential building with a supermarket on the ground floor.

Building decorated with tiles
Building decorated with tiles
Building decorated with tiles
Building decorated with tiles

 

Mary Immaculate Church

Mary Immaculate Church (Iglesia María Inmaculada) doesn’t look like much from the outside but it has a beautiful interior. There are also some nice stained glass windows.

Mary Immaculate Church
Mary Immaculate Church
Iglesia María Inmaculada in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Mary Immaculate Church
Stained glass window at Iglesia María Inmaculada in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Stained glass window

Everything inside is carved out of wood, including the confessionary and the altar.

Altar at Iglesia María Inmaculada in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Altar
Confessionary at Iglesia María Inmaculada in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Confessionary
Candle at Iglesia María Inmaculada in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Candle
Statues at Iglesia María Inmaculada in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Statues

 

Around Town

If you venture outside of the plaza, you might spot some of the interesting murals scattered around town.

Santuario mural
Santuario mural
Nature mural
Nature mural
Mural in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Mural
Mural in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Coffee mural

There are also plenty of beautiful balconies and colorful buildings as well. Most of them are located on Calle Real, which is the town’s famous street that leads into the plaza.

Balconies in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Balconies
Balconies in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Balconies
Nice building in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Nice building
Balcony in Santuario, Risaralda, Colombia
Balcony

Author

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

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