Medellín Sights

  1. Catedral Metropolitana

    Overlooking Parque de Bolívar, the city's vast cathedral, Catedral Metropolitana is formed by some 1.2 million bricks arrayed in an attractive neo-Romanesque design. Designed by various architects, including Frenchman Charles Carré, construction began in 1875 and was completed only in 1931. Its spacious but dim interior boasts Spanish stained-glass windows, a German-made organ featuring 3478 pipes and paintings by Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos.

    Read more about Catedral Metropolitana

  2. Ermita de la Veracruz

    Ermita de la Veracruz is regarded as the city's oldest church. Its construction was reputedly begun in 1682, but it wasn't inaugurated until 1803. It has a fine stone facade and a charming, white-and-gold interior.

    Read more about Ermita de la Veracruz

  3. La Gorda

    Thanks to a local law that requires major new buildings to include public art, central Medellín can seem like a vast, outdoor art gallery. Besides the Plazoleta de las Escultras, you can see Botero's massive bronze woman's torso known as La Gorda, in front of the Banco de la República in Parque Berrío. There are also three more Botero sculptures in the Parque San Antonio.

    Read more about La Gorda

  4. Monumento a la Raza

    Rodrigo Arenas Betancur (1919-95), Colombia's favorite designer of monuments, is well-represented in Medellín. Even more impressive than his 14m-high Monumento a la Vida is Monumento a la Raza, which tells the story of Antioquia in dramatically twisting metal. Fans should also head to the Universidad de Antioquia campus 2km north of the city center to see his Monumento al Creador de Energía.

    Read more about Monumento a la Raza

  5. Monumento a la Vida

    Rodrigo Arenas Betancur (1919-95), Colombia's favorite designer of monuments, is well-represented in Medellín. His sinuous, 14m-high Monumento a la Vida was unveiled in 1974. Fans should also head to the Universidad de Antioquia campus 2km north of the city center to see his Monumento al Creador de Energía.

    Read more about Monumento a la Vida

  7. Pájaro de Paz

    There are three Fernando Botero sculptures in the Parque San Antonio, including the Pájaro de Paz. Ironically, this work was seriously damaged by a bomb placed by unknown perpetrators, which also killed 23 people. As a vivid reminder of the city's hyper-violent episode, the damaged bird has been left untouched, though a new version now stands alongside it.

    Read more about Pájaro de Paz

  8. Plazoleta de las Esculturas

    Across the street from Palacio Municipal, the Plazoleta de las Esculturas is home to a more than 20 of Fernando Botero's sculptures.

    Read more about Plazoleta de las Esculturas