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Inflexión Memorial Park (Parque Conmemorativo Inflexión) is a public park in the El Poblado district of Medellín. It honors the victims of narcoterrorism in Colombia from 1983 to 1994.

Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Inflexión Memorial Park

 

History of Inflexión Memorial Park

Inflexión Memorial Park opened to the public on December 20, 2019. It was commissioned by the Medellín City Hall (Alcaldía de Medellín) and over 45 proposals were submitted by architects. The winning proposal, chosen by judges, belonged to Carolina Henao Salazar, Tomás Del Gallego Rico, Felipe Zapata Flórez y Germán Tamayo Osorio. The park is now an important place for visitors to solemnly reflect on the city’s violent past.

Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Inflexión Memorial Park


 

Location of Inflexión Memorial Park

The park is located in the Santa María de los Ángeles neighborhood. In fact, it sits on the former site of Edificio Mónaco, the home of Pablo Escobar, his family, bodyguards, and members of the Medellín Cartel. The building was demolished on February 22, 2019.

Edificio Mónaco in El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
Edificio Mónaco

 

Path of Heroes

Inflexión Memorial Park is divided into three sections. First is the Path of Heroes (Camino de los héroes). The path is lined with nine granite monoliths containing quotes made by public figures about the violence occurring during this terrible period. All of the people quoted were assassinated.

Path of Heroes at Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Path of Heroes
Path of Heroes
Monolith

 

Plaza of Reflection and Memory

Next is the Plaza of Reflection and Memory (Plaza de Reflexión y Memoria). This is the focal point and most important part of the park. It features a black granite wall measuring 70 meters long by four meters high, broken into four sections.

Plaza of Reflection and Memory
Plaza of Reflection and Memory at Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Plaza of Reflection and Memory

On the north face opening onto the Path of Heroes, the wall contains 46,612 holes. Each hole represents a victim of the violence taking place during the period. At night, the holes are illuminated from the inside, creating a “constellation” that connects visitors with each of the lives lost.

North face of the wall

On the south face is a timeline of 208 violent events associated with narcoterrorism that occurred throughout Colombia. Each event is listed with the location, date, and type of event.

South face of the wall at Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
South face of the wall
South face of the wall
Taking of the Palace of Justice in Plaza de Bolívar, Bogotá, November 6-7, 1985 at Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Taking of the Palace of Justice in Plaza de Bolívar, Bogotá, November 6-7, 1985
"Building memories generates new impulses so that these tragic events are not repeated."
“Building memories generates new impulses so that these tragic events are not repeated.”


 

Forest of Resilience

The third and final section of Inflexión Memorial Park is the Forest of Resilience (Bosque de la Resiliencia). It represents the ability of society to overcome the pain and difficulties it experiences, providing opportunities and new perspectives. The forest contains different species of trees from all over the country.

Forest of Resilience at Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Forest of Resilience
Forest of Resilience

 

Peacebuilders

Peacebuilders, a sculpture dedicated to dead, missing, and injured police, sits on one edge of the park. It was erected in 2017 and designed by artist Linda Valentina Barrera. It’s made of bronze and brass.

Peacebuilders at Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Peacebuilders

 

Rubble Walls

Finally, along the edges of the park are the Rubble Walls (Muros de Escombros). These walls were created with the rubble from Edificio Mónaco to remind visitors of the symbol of pain that once stood there.

Rubble Wall at Inflexión Memorial Park in Medellín, Colombia
Rubble Wall
Rubble Wall
Rubble Wall

 

Map With Inflexión Memorial Park

Author

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

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