Last updated on March 4, 2024.

I thought my search for Colombia’s most beautiful town ended with Jardín. The equally if not more beautiful town of Jericó gives it stiff competition. Jardín wins the plaza competition, but Jericó hands down has better preserved and better constructed traditional homes and buildings.

Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia town view
Jericó

Jericó is located just over a couple hours from Medellín in the Antioquia department, and is one of Colombia’s prestigious Heritage Towns (Pueblos Patrimonio). It was founded in 1850 and is nicknamed “the Athens of the Southwest”.

 

Plaza

The main plaza in Jericó is not quite as elaborate as that of Jardín, but it’s still very colorful and lively. It’s surrounded by restaurants and hotels with nicely constructed balconies.

Plaza in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Plaza
Restaurant on the plaza in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Restaurant on the plaza

 

Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy

The focal point of the plaza is the brick Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy (Catedral Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes). It looks attractive from the outside but otherwise drab on the inside.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy
Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy
Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy
Nave of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy
Nave

 

Museums

Among the cultural attractions in town are a couple museums, the most interesting being the Maja Museum (Museo Maja), which is an anthropology and art museum. Admission is COP$3,000 (as of December 2022).

The tourist offices on the block on the lower side of the church and a half block up from the church provide maps of the town and attractions for a small fee. A couple of the attractions had moved after publication of our map, so check to make sure the maps are up to date.

 

Santa Laura

For those interested in religious history, Jericó is the birthplace of the Colombian Saint Laura Montoya Upegui in 1874. The home is open to visitors.

Home of Santa Laura in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Home of Santa Laura

 

The Grotto

A steep trail from town leads to the Grotto (La Gruta), a religious shrine cut into the mountainside.

The Grotto
The Grotto

 

Architecture

The rest of town is pleasant to wander through, and as I mentioned earlier has many more preserved homes than Jardín.

Looking up a stairway in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Looking up a stairway
A colorful street in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
A colorful street
Colorful homes in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Colorful homes
Colorful homes in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Colorful homes

 

Natural Areas

Jericó is surrounded by pristine natural beauty. A well-maintained botanical garden just a few blocks from the plaza leads to a large statue of Christ overlooking the town. From here, there are excellent views of the entire town and countryside.

Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
Botanical Garden
Monument of Christ
Monument of Christ

Next to the statue is a cable car that takes visitors high above the town to a nature park, Las Nieves. There are trails and lookout towers, and at the cable car station is a café. Unfortunately, the cable car has been out of operation since 2016. There are plans to repair it and return it to service (as of May 2023).

Author

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

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