Colombia (Lonely Planet, 5th Edition) - Jens Porup [169]
CHURCHES
Standing guard over Parque Berrío is Basílica de la Candelaria (Map; cnr Carrera 50 & Calle 51). Built in the 1770s, it’s Medellín’s most important church.
Overlooking Parque de Bolívar, the vast Catedral Metropolitana (Map; cnr Calle & Carrera 48) boasts a neo-Romanesque design. Construction began in 1875 and was completed in 1931. Its spacious but dim interior has Spanish stained-glass windows and a German-made pipe organ.
Ermita de la Veracruz (Map; cnr Calle 51 & Carrera 52) is the city’s oldest church. Its construction was reputedly begun in 1682, but it wasn’t inaugurated until 1803. It has a stone facade and a white-and-gold interior.
The Cementerio de San Pedro (Map; 212 0951; Carrera 51 No 68-68; 7:30am-5:30pm), established in 1842, has a collection of ornate tombstones, sepulchral chapels and mausoleums. Many recent graves are decked out with paraphernalia related to passions of the deceased, from cars to football to tango music. Take the metro to Estación Hospital.
PARKS
Newly refurbished and fabulous, the Jardín Botánico (Map; 444 5500; Carrera 52 No 73-182; admission free; 9am-5pm) boasts 600 species of trees and plants, a lake, herbarium, auditorium and the Orquideorama, where an orchid display is held in March and April. The gardens are easily accessed from the nearby metro stop Universidad. Just across the street is the sleek, all-concrete Parque de los Deseos (Map), which has been known to host free concerts.
On top of the 80m-tall hill Cerro Nutibara (Map), 2km southwest of the city center, sits the kitschy Pueblito Paísa, a miniature version of a typical Antioquian township. Views from an adjacent platform across the city are stunning. There’s also an art gallery at the top and an open-air theater. Take the metro to Industriales and walk 10 minutes to the base of the hill, then 10 more to the top. It’s the green hill on your left as you exit the station.
On the slopes of Cerro Nutibara is the Parque de las Esculturas (Sculpture Park; Map), which contains modern abstract sculptures by South American artists, including such prominent names as Edgar Negret, Carlos Rojas and John Castles.
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Activities
PARAGLIDING
There are good thermal winds around Medellín, making it a good paragliding spot. Zona de Vuelo ( 388 1556, 312 832 5891; www.zonadevueloparapentemedellin.com; Km5.6 Via San Pedro de los Milagros) offers tandem flights (Colombians/foreigners COP$70,000/80,000) and 10-day long courses (COP$1.1 million). It can also organize trips to the surrounding region.
SOCCER
Medellín has two teams, Independiente Medellín (DIM, www.dim.com.co) and Atlético Nacional (www.atlnacional.com.co). Both play at Estadio Atanasio Giradot (Map) near the aptly named Estadio metro station.
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Tours
Las Buseticas (Map; 262 7444; www.lasbuseticas.com; Carrera 43A No 34-95) For a good guided, three-hour city tour (COP$40,000-50,000).
Turibus (Map; 371 5054; www.seditrans.com; tours COP$15,000; 9am-5pm Tue-Sat) Offers get-on, get-off tours of the city’s most iconic attractions. Pick it up in Parque Poblado or Parque de Bolívar.
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Courses
SPANISH COURSES
Universidad EAFIT (Map; 261 9541; www.eafit.edu.co; Carrera 49 No 7 Sur-50) offers intensive short-term and longer-term Spanish study in a group setting. See its website for the latest schedule and prices.
DANCE COURSES
Academía Dance As (Map; 266 1522, 300 602 0683; www.danceas.com; Carrera 46 No 7-9, Patio Bonito) A good spot for one-on-one salsa or tango lessons (COP$25,000 per hour).
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Festivals & Events
Feria Taurina de La Macarena (Jan & Feb; cnr Autopista Sur & Calle 44) The bullfighting season takes place at the Plaza de Toros La Macarena (Map), the 11,000-seat, Moorish-style bullring