{"id":6410,"date":"2020-01-24T11:00:02","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T11:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.applelanguages.com\/blog\/?p=6410"},"modified":"2020-01-28T09:37:14","modified_gmt":"2020-01-28T09:37:14","slug":"medellin-reinvention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.applelanguages.com\/blog\/locations\/colombia\/medellin\/medellin-reinvention.php","title":{"rendered":"Medell\u00edn – a Colombian reinvention"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Medell\u00edn,Colombia has always combined the best bits of South America in one stunning country. As a visitor, you will be spoiled by its riches. You can trek through parts of the Amazon rainforest or visit Colombia’s spectacular national parks, which remain largely untouched by humans. Or why not trying hiking in the northern Andes and admire the epic mountain views? If you prefer the beach, Colombia has some of the most serene and diverse coastlines in the world.<\/p>\n

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Or, if you’re an urbanophile at heart, travel to the main Colombian cities to admire their colonial architecture and their contemporary art. History buffs can delve into the country’s pre-Columbian history in its unique and mesmerising museums, and learn more about the roots of its fascinating culture.<\/p>\n

\"\"If that wasn’t enough, Colombian Spanish is recognised as the clearest form of the language in the world! It’s therefore the perfect place for anybody who wants to learn Spanish<\/a>. With all its culture, sights, and landscapes, Colombia offers one of the best travel experiences to be found anywhere. This is especially true for people who love the outdoors: hiking, trekking, swimming, diving, snorkelling, and sightseeing can all be enjoyed here. Every corner of this fascinating country has a story to tell, and you should listen!<\/p>\n

Venture inland – away from the sandy, tranquil beaches and the up-and-coming surfing hotspots – and you will find Colombia’s second-biggest city: Medell\u00edn. Medell\u00edn gives you access to many of Colombia\u2019s treasures, whilst being an innovative and entrepreneurial metropolitan city, surrounded by incredible nature.<\/p>\n

\"Overview<\/p>\n

History and influence of Medell\u00edn<\/h3>\n

\"\"Back in the 17th century, there were no more than 3,000 people scattered around the hills of Medell\u00edn. A later census during colonial times showed that the population had risen to over 14,000. Colombia won independence in 1810 and, by then, there were over 15,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n

The 20th century saw the population soar from under 60,000 to over 350,000. The export of coffee was a large driving factor for this incredible growth. In fact, it was one of the country’s main exports. This trade helped to further increase the city’s growth.<\/p>\n

The Medell\u00edn Cartel<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sadly, it wasn’t just coffee that became a popular export for Medell\u00edn. The city was infamous in the 1980s for the Medell\u00edn Cartel, founded by Pablo Escobar. The violent wars between the city’s cartels terrorised the whole area and the city fell victim to a very high crime rate. This dropped dramatically straight after the death of Escobar in 1993, which released the city from drug-related warfare. In fact, Medell\u00edn today is safer than many major cities in the U.S.A. and has certainly moved on from its dangerous past – so much so that it was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for innovation and livability in 2016!<\/p>\n

This part of history will no doubt stick with Medell\u00edn for several decades to come; there are even ‘Pablo Escobar tours’ around the city for you to take part in. However, the tourist board and many of the citizens of Medell\u00edn are keen not to promote or encourage this form of tourism. At any rate, there are plenty more interesting things to see and do in this award-winning metropolis.<\/p>\n

Let’s go over just a few of these …<\/p>\n

Culture and architecture<\/h3>\n

Medell\u00edn’s Churches<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

\"IglesiaMedell\u00edn offers a whole host of architecture for you to discover. If you like to visit churches, then you are in the right place! As a city that was established under a Catholic empire, Medell\u00edn has around 70 churches, so you will surely find one or two that will appeal to you.<\/p>\n

One of the most stunning examples of religious architecture is the Iglesia Nuestra Se\u00f1ora del Rosario in Bello. This relatively young church (built in 1947) is a prime example of Neo-Byzantine style. The interior shines bright white, and this huge church is packed with remarkable works of art. The detailed stained-glass windows are mesmerising, as is the attention to detail throughout the building. If you have time to see just one church in Medell\u00edn, this is surely the right choice!<\/p>\n

If you have a little extra time, take a trip to the oldest church in the city, La Candelaria. This white building dates back to the 17th century and is one of the only remaining examples of authentic colonial architecture. It is also home to a wonderful painting of the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of Medell\u00edn. This can be found right above the church’s ornate wooden altar.<\/p>\n

Museums of Medell\u00edn<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

\"RafaelIf you’re a ‘culture vulture’, you can start your tour of the city at Berrio Park. It is found right in the centre of Medell\u00edn and is therefore in close proximity to many key sights. The park itself has a plaza with a statue of the eponymous Pedro Justus Berrio. This plaza is illuminated by lanterns after dark, which gives it a rather eerie atmosphere. Nonetheless, this is the<\/em> meetup point for many locals, so you will always see Colombian life in flux at this central part of the city.<\/p>\n

Close to the Berrio Park is a truly unique building: the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture. This huge black-and-white palace plays host to regular cultural events, from concerts and conferences to exhibitions. It is considered a National Monument of Colombia and has a special entrance for the public. Go and check out the historical and photographic archive, the sound and music archive, the permanent art gallery, the library, and the small caf\u00e9. The Palace is the ideal place for you to get in touch with all aspects of Medell\u00edn, since it\u2019s the main artery of the city’s culture.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Medellin Antioquia Colombia 🇨🇴 (@medellindestination)<\/a> on