El Gato del Río
A 3.5-meter bronze cat sculpture by Hernando Tejada, on the bank of the Cali River along Avenida 4 Norte Oeste, near El Peñón. It's free and open to all.
- Hours
- Open space, no set hours.
- Price
- Free
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 0 to 2 hours
- Address
- Avenida 4 Norte Oeste, on the bank of the Cali River, Normandía neighborhood, Cali
El Gato del Río was donated by Cali painter and sculptor Hernando Tejada and unveiled on July 3, 1996, as part of a plan to restore the banks of the Cali River. It's 3.5 meters tall and 3.4 meters wide and weighs about 3 tons. It was cast in Bogotá, and they had to take the roof off the workshop to get it out.
A park grew up around the cat with 15 colorful female cats (gatas) painted by artists such as Omar Rayo, Diego Pombo and Maripaz. In 2026 the piece turned 30.
About 150 meters away is the Museo Hernando Tejada, opened in 2024 on the site of the artist's old studio.
What to see
- The bronze cat.
- The colorful cats by various artists along the river.
- The Museo Hernando Tejada, about 150 meters away.
Getting there
- On foot from El Peñón along the Cali River path.
- Taxi to Avenida 4 Norte Oeste by the river.
Tips
- Pair it with Museo La Tertulia, which is on the same river.
- In December the area is part of the Christmas lights.
FAQ
Who made El Gato del Río?
Hernando Tejada, an artist from Cali. It was unveiled on July 3, 1996.
How big is it?
It's 3.5 meters tall and weighs about 3 tons.
Do you have to pay to see it?
No. It's in an open park by the river.
On the map
Photos: Juan Espinosa, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mario Carvajal from Bogotá, Colombia, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
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23Oct Venue to be confirmedCultureBulevar del RíoCali International Book Fair 2026
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