GENERAL INFORMATION

Capital: Medellín
Altitude: 1538 meters ( Medellín )
Population: 2.750.000 inhabitants
Average Temperature: 24 degrees C
Economy: Textile industry, commerce, agriculture, livestock
Telephone Prefix: 4
Getting there : by land or air
Distance to Bogotá:
Land: 409 km
Air: 50 minutes

ATTRACTIONS

 

COMMERCE

MEDELLÍN: "The City of Eternal Spring", industrial center, and commerce capital of the department.

HISTORICAL-CULTURAL

JARDÍN: One of the prettiest villages in Antioquía. It's plazas, streets, and parks are a faithful representation of Paisa Architecture.

SANTA FE DE ANTIOQUÍA: Founded in 1541, Santa Fe is located 75 km from Medellin on the road to the sea. It's one of the best conserved Colonial populations in the country. The Cathedral, La Ermita, El Cabildo, La Casa Negra, the city museum, and the Western Bridge stand out as great examples of preserved Colonial architecture. The PUENTE DE OCCIDENTE, is a phenomenal work of engineering, constructed over a century ago with brick towers that sustain the hanging bridge (constructed with wood and steel ropes. This bridge is now a "Historical National Monument."

NATURE

NECOCLÍ: The virgin beaches of Necocli are of singular beauty in the Uraba Gulf.

VOLCANO OF LODO DE ARBOLETES: Visitors often visit this area for its rich mineral, salt, sulfur, and petroleum composition.

 

ACTIVITIES:

 

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

BULLFIGHT FESTIVAL IN THE CANDELARIA: Bull fight season in Medellin in January and February.

COLOMBIATEX: This is the biggest textile and fashion fair in Colombia. Held in Medellin in the Exposition Palace in February.

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POETRY: Recitals, conferences, forums, lectures. Held in Medellin in June.

FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS: Cultural, sporting, and social activities are held all week long -- based on the theme of flowers. Medellin is called the "City of Eternal Spring" because of its exuberant beauty and climate, ideal for growing flowers. The most spectacular event of the week is the parade of Silleteros -- country men and women who carry hundreds of pounds of flowers on their backs to honor the old tradition of how flowers were transported before cars. Held in Medellin in August.

TANGO FESTIVAL: Medellin is the city where Carlos Gardel died -- a famous singer of Tangos. Here in Medellin you can feel the appreciation and love the "paisas" have for tango and the memory of Carlos Gardel.

MUSICAL IMPROVIZATION FESTIVAL (TROVA): Trovas are musical improvisations, one of the purest representations of the Paisa Culture. Held in Medellin in September.

EASTER WEEK : Santa Fe de Antioquía and its Easter celebration is catalogued as one of the most beautiful and solemn festivals of the country.

GASTRONOMY

Beans baked with pork, served with ground meat, rice, fried plantain, avocados, eggs, chorizos, fried pig skin, and sweet plantain is the banner dish of Medellin. (Yep, that's ONE meal!). Called Bandeja Paisa, it's not for the light eater or weak of heart!

Mazamorra made from corn, sweetened with sugar cane served with cheese is a typical Medellin drink. (Not light eaters, are they!). Don't forget to try the delicious corn arepas, baked in a brick oven, served with cheese, the los buñuelos with natilla (cheese donuts with a cinnamon pudding), arepas with different toppings, and wafers with typical Colombian sweets.

And at night, take care when you're making toasts with typical Antioqueño aguardiente -- the typical alcohol of the region that will send your head spinning!

MEDIOS DE TRANSPORTE

Air:

Airports
International José María Córdoba: (Rionegro): Tel: 2603810 562-2828, 562-4090
Enrique Olaya Herrera: tel:285-9999.

Commercial Airlines that fly to Antioquía:
Avianca
Satena
Inter
Aerorepublica

By Land
Bus terminal of inter municipal transportation: ( Buses, taxis )
Mariano Ospina Perez: Address:Cra 64C No 78-344 Tel: 2677075 /76/77

Urban transportation
Medellin is the only Colombian city with a metro.

COMMUNICATION:

Newspapers:

El mundo
El Colombiano