Santa Fe de Antioquia

Santa Fe de Antioquia was founded in 1541 and was the capital of Antioquia until the 19th century. The center keeps its white one-story houses with wooden doors, barred windows and cobblestone streets. The Plaza Mayor has an iron fountain, palm trees and tables where they sell tamarind candy.

It's hot: the town sits in the Cauca River canyon, much lower than Medellín, so in a little over an hour the climate changes completely. On Calle 11 is the Museo Juan del Corral, in a colonial mansion, with Indigenous, colonial and 19th-century objects; entry is free.

About 5 km from the center, on the road toward Olaya and Sopetrán, is the Puente de Occidente: a 291-meter suspension bridge over the Cauca, built between 1887 and 1895 by engineer José María Villa and declared a national monument in 1978. You cross it on foot; cars are restricted.

What to see

• The Plaza Mayor, with its fountain and the Cathedral Basilica.
• The Puente de Occidente over the Cauca River.
• The Museo Juan del Corral, on Calle 11.
• The cobblestone streets and colonial houses in the center.
• The tamarind candy sold on the square.

Getting there

• Bus: buses and shared vans to Santa Fe de Antioquia leave from the Terminal del Norte (next to Caribe metro station); the trip takes 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic.
• Car: head west through the Túnel de Occidente and take the road to the sea (about 55 km).
• To the Puente de Occidente: by mototaxi or tuk-tuk from town, about 10 minutes.

Tips

• Leave early: at midday the heat is intense, and the center is best walked in the morning.
• Bring a cap, sunscreen and water.
• On weekends and public holidays, buy your return ticket ahead; the buses fill up.
• The museum is closed on Wednesdays.