El Cerro de Moravia

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

The densely populated neighborhood of Moravia was once Medellín's municipal rubbish dump with an open-air mountain of trash surrounded by a large shanty town whose residents once rummaged through the detritus. However, it has since been transformed into a model urban center, with the mound of trash turned into a foliage-covered hillside. You can take a guided tour of the neighborhood and find out about the fascinating transformation by contacting the Centro de Desarollo Cultural de Moravia.

While the hill now has a green hue and looks natural, underneath the pile of rubbish still smolders and locals say it's a couple of degrees hotter here than elsewhere in the city.


Must-see attractions