Plaza Cisneros (Parque de las Luces)

The plaza is named after Francisco Javier Cisneros, the Cuban engineer who led the construction of the Antioquia Railway. Freight trains arrived here, and for decades Medellín's main market stood here, in the Guayaquil sector. When the railway declined and the market moved away, the area fell into decay.

In February 2005 the plaza you see today opened, designed by architect Juan Manuel Peláez: a forest of 300 concrete and metal poles up to 24 meters tall, with bamboo and water fountains. During the day the poles give some shade; as evening falls they light up.

To the west is the EPM Library, opened in 2005 in the shape of an inverted pyramid. To the east are the Vásquez and Carré buildings, two late-19th-century brick buildings designed by Frenchman Charles Carré, the same architect as the Metropolitan Cathedral.

It's a good spot for photos and for understanding how Medellín tried to revive its downtown. But the plaza has a reputation for robberies, especially as it starts getting dark and the area empties. Go during the day, ideally before 4:00 p.m., and don't stay to see the lights come on.

What to see

• The forest of 300 light poles.
• The brick Vásquez and Carré buildings.
• The EPM Library.
• The plaza's bamboo and fountains.

Getting there

• Metro: Cisneros station (Line B), about four blocks away, or San Antonio station (Lines A and B), about three blocks away.
• Taxi: ask for the Biblioteca EPM, Carrera 54 with Calle 44.

Tips

• Only go during the day, on a weekday, when there are people and police around; leave before dark.
• Don't walk around the area with your phone in your hand or a camera hanging from your neck.
• To head back, get a taxi through an app from the EPM Library instead of walking to the metro.