San Antonio Plaza
San Antonio Plaza, La Candelaria, Medellin, Antioquia
The expansive San Antonio Plaza, which overlooks the mountains of Medellín, was inaugurated in 1994 as a cultural center. The plaza was struck by tragedy the following year when a bomb detonated during a concert and killed innocent people. Today, the square functions as an important memorial to Medellín’s turbulent past.
The Basics
San Antonio Plaza forms an integral part of tours that focus on Fernando Botero, the Colombian-born artist famous for his disproportionate sculptures. Tours typically shed light on Botero’s Bird of Peace (Pájaro de Paz) statue, which was damaged by an explosion in 1995. Several years later, Botero placed an identical sculpture beside the original, creating a symbol of peace as well as a memorial to those who died in the bombing.
Things to Know Before You Go
San Antonio Plaza is an important place to learn about the history of Medellín.
As in other large cities, be careful of your belongings when exploring the park.
The square is home to an amphitheater for hosting concerts; check the schedule and try to catch one while you’re there.
How to Get There
The plaza is located between Calle Maturín, Calle San Juan, and Carrera Oriental, only a few blocks from El Centro metro station. To avoid getting lost among the bustle of El Centro, opt for a convenient guided walking tour.
When to Get There
The large size of the plaza means it rarely gets too crowded, so visiting at any time of day is fine. The plaza’s park comes to life on the weekends; an entertaining activity is to sit on a bench in the shade and people-watch. There are also outdoor restaurants and vendors selling food on the streets.
The Impact of Pablo Escobar in Medellin
Throughout the world, the name Pablo Escobar is notorious. Indisputably, Escobar’s reign had the biggest impact on Medellín, which was torn apart by war and violence for more than 10 years. If you want to learn more about Escobar, opt for an unbiased tour that reveals the truth about the life and death of this often misinterpreted man.
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