RAM Hostal

Santa Fe de Antioquia

by mircaskirca

Santa Fe de Antioquia is the oldest settlement in the region, founded in 1541 by Jorge Robledo. It was the capital of Antioquia from 1813 until 1826 when the government moved to Medellín. A visit to this sleepy colonial town is a step back in time through quaint cobblestone streets. Many houses and churches are over 250 years old, making it the most well preserved colonial town in Antioquia. In 1960 Santa Fe de Antioquia was declared a national monument.

The town's historic centre looks very much the same as it looked in colonial times. Its narrow streets are lined with white-washed and pastel-coloured houses, and many have gorgeous courtyards decorated with plants and flowers. Strolling the old streets you come across some lovely plazas and there is impressive Iglesia de Santa Bárbara.

Santa Fe de Antioquia makes a great day trip for visitors of Medellín and it it's a popular weekend destination for Paisas. The completion of the tunnel in 2006 has cut travelling time to less than 1,5 hours.

Park between the observatory and the Concert hall

by MrRandMcnally

I know this park has a name like inspiration park or something but I'm drawing a blank. Between the Observatory and the concert ahall, near Antioquia University, you will find another of Medellin's special public spaces. here you will find a solar clock, a echo chamber a globe that is lit based upon the position of the sun at any given time, all dedicated to learning. On some weekends ther project movies up on the observatory wall. People can sit for free and watch the shows.

Basilica de la Candelaria

by MalenaN

Basilica de la Candelaria is situated by the busy Parque Berrío. It was built in the 1770s and from 1868 to 1931 (when Catedral Metropolitana was completed) it served as the cathedral of the city. Also this church was open and full of worshippers the times I passed. In the left isle there is a statue of the Fallen Christ and the ornate ceiling is beautiful. Also the main retable is of interest

Medellín

by MalenaN

Many people think of drugs and violence when they hear of Medellín. And that was how it used to be. Under the 1980s Medellín was the centre of Colombia’s cocaine cartels and killings and other violence was common. In 1991, for example, 6349 people were murdered in the city and that was one of the highest murder rates in the world. But since Pablo Escobar (leader of the Medellín cartel) died in 1993 it has only become better and Medellín is now considered to be one of the safest cities in Latin America.

Medellín is often called The City of Eternal Spring, because of its climate. The city is situated in Aburrá Valley at an elevation of about 1500 metres. That gives Medellín an average temperature of an agreeable 23° C. Through the city, towards north, flows Medellín River.

Medellín is the second biggest city in Colombia with a population of 2,5 millions. For a tourist there are many things to do. There are several museums and old churches to visit, Botero statues and monuments to look at and excellent opportunities to do paragliding. If you have never tried paragliding before you should really take the chance to do a tandem flight while you are in Medellín. Many people come here for the nightlife, which has the reputation to be one of the best in Colombia. And some people come here for plastic surgery.