Medellin Neighborhood Guides: La Candelaria

TLDR? La Candelaria is a place where you can see paisa artist Fernando Botero’s works in Plaza Botero and Museo de Antioquia!

La Candelaria’s one of the most famous neighborhoods in Medellin.

Among the 16 communes that make Medellín, La Candelaria’s Commune 10. It borders the communes of Buenos Aires, Laureles, Belén, and El Poblado.

La Candelaria has 17 neighborhoods. One’s named after the commune, and three pay homage to the Colombian Catholic religion, such as the Jesús de Nazareno neighborhood.

It’s a place full of culture, art, and architectural beauty. In this guide, you’ll get to know the best of La Candelaria.

What Can You Find in la Candelaria

Due to its location, La Candelaria’s crossed by various subway stations, including the Exposiciones station, Cisneros, Parque Berrio, San Antonio, Alpajurra, and Prado station.

All this makes it easy for its visitors to move and take an economical and ecological tour of all its tourist sites.

I’ll tell you about some of these sites below!

Plaza Botero

If you’re a fan of outdoor art, you’ll find many in Medellín.

Each neighborhood has an artistic representation that honors Colombian talent. When it comes to La Candelaria, this representation is Botero Square.

There, you can enjoy famous works by the sculptor Fernando Botero.

It’s the only place in the world where you’ll find outdoor bronze pieces by this Colombian artist. His exhibition is in the famous Parque Berrio as a prelude to the Museo de Antioquia.

Getting to the sculpture square is quite simple. In addition to taking a taxi, you can take the metro to the closest station, Parque Berrio. Then it’s only a four-minute walk to Plaza Botero.

I recommend you visit it during the day, in the morning to be more precise. Don’t forget to have a delicious coffee and enjoy the restaurants close to the park.

Address: Av. Carabobo, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia

Museo de Antioquia

The Museo de Antioquia is one of the obligatory places if you visit Medellín. Close to Plaza Botero, you’ll find a collection of pieces donated by native Paisa Fernando Botero.

However, its pieces are not this museum’s only attraction. It has exhibitions of other international artists and rooms that pay homage to history. 

I want to highlight the room  El Barro Tiene Voz (“the clay has a voice”), which makes up an exhibition of ceramic and pottery pieces.

Address: Cl. 52 #52-43, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia.

Museo Casa de la Memoria

Unfortunately, Colombia has been a victim of armed conflict and other human rights violations.

By showcasing different situations Colombian families have gone through, Museo Casa de La Memoria doesn’t allow us to forget this history.

Along with many museums in Medellin, it teaches tourists about the country and how it has evolved into what we see today.

The museum’s currently undergoing repairs by sections due to structural damage. It’s an old place, definitely worth visiting.

Address: Parque Bicentenario, Cl. 51 #36-66, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia.

Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe

Palacio de la Cultura is a cultural space that you can find very close to the Museo de Antioquia and Parque Berrio.

You won’t be able to just look at it: you’ll want to take your time to explore this beautiful building that takes up an entire corner of a simple street.

To get to know its interior, you can request a guided tour. You’ll learn about its architectural and political history.

Address: Carrera 51 #52 01, Medellín, Antioquia.

Museo Del Agua

A museum made to educate yourself and have fun in the process.

Museo del Agua’s an interactive place to publicize the importance of water on our planet.

Between puzzles, models, sculptures, and other forms of entertainment, this museum teaches its visitors in the most fun and entertaining way. They also include themed tours within their activities.

The Museo del Agua is the best place to learn about the planet and the damage we can cause if we don’t care for it.

Address: Parque de los Pies Descalzos, Cra. 57 #42-139, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia

Parque de Los Pies Descalzos

Parque de Los Pies Descalzos (“bare feet park”) is one of the most famous parks in Medellin.

It’s a place made for relaxing walks and picnics. It’s where you want to end up spending the afternoon after doing a whole tour of the water museum.

Address: Cra. 58 #42-125, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia

Include la Candelaria in Your Tour of Medellin

Enjoy history, art, culture, and different pleasant environments throughout this entire district of Medellín!

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