The Aburrá Foundation and the Gold Statue Museum

¿TLDR?  The Aburrá Foundation is one of the museums you should visit in Medellín.

Medellín is a city so rich with history that you’ll need a map. One place to learn about Medellín’s history is in the Aburrá Foundation!

The Aburrá Foundation is one of Medellin’s greatest treasures, not only for its historical and cultural value but also for its current collection. 

Read ahead to learn everything you need to know about the museum to include it in your cultural tour of Medellín! 

Creation of the Aburrá Foundation

Curiosity and a love for Colombian roots created the foundation in 2006 to safeguard important pieces of historical Antioquian art. 

The foundation, located in a simple house in Laureles, is home to more than 3,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic and religious art, and exists in part thanks to researcher Ricardo Saldarriaga Gaviria. 

Visiting the Aburrá Foundation is like traveling back in time through art and culture. The foundation mixes pre-Hispanic culture with religion, one of the main characteristics of Colombian culture. That’s why you’ll find more than one in church in every town and city! 

How to Get to the Aburrá Foundation

The Aburrá Foundation is located in Laureles, one of the best-known neighborhoods of Medellin. A favorite stop for tourists, the neighborhood has some great sightseeing locales, as well as some great eats. 

Each neighborhood in Medellin is connected to some kind of transportation system, so taking the metro or bus is always an option. It’s also the cheapest option. The closest Metro station to the Aburrá Foundation is Estadio, only an eight minute walk away. 

You can also travel by taxi or through any private transport apps operating in the city. 

The El Museo del Agua is located a few blocks away, close enough to visit after a trip to the foundation. The half hour walk will take you through the neighborhood of Laureles and Los Pies Descalzos park. 

What to Expect From a Visit to the Foundation

The foundation is a cultural goldmine for anyone looking to learn more about the history of Colombia and Antioquia. It’s not only place to visit and learn about culture, it’s also a place that allows various groups of researchers to continue devoting their time and knowledge to the foundation’s valuable pieces. 

Many of the works were molded or created by people thousands of years ago, left as a legacy to Colombia’s current population. 

Clay

One might not expect clay to be so resistant over the years, but the museum’s pieces are incredibly well preserved. 

Vessels, animals, and small figures of the human form are some of the clay pieces on exhibit in the museum. 

Ceramics

Ceramics are also made of clay, but are created using different techniques and materials. You’ll see a lot of ceramic masks, animals and pots at the Aburrá foundation. 

Bronze

Similar to gold, bronze pieces are created by shaping bronze into different shapes. You’ll find some surprising pieces like the Cubresexo, a conical object used to cover male sexual organs. You’ll also find broze pieces crafted into animals like toads or cats. 

Gold

The Aburrá foundation’s gold pieces are some of the most anticipated works in their collection. 

Although there aren’t any pieces of pure gold in the museum, you can find pieces made of bronze that are plated or bathed in gold. The most striking pieces made from this mix of materials are the Cargueros, distinguishable by the basket they carry on their backs. 

Cargueros are very similar to Canasteros, which are figures of women carrying material, as it was normal in Pre-Colombian cultures for everyone to work from a young age. 

Another kind of gold piece is the Poporo, one of the most represented figures in Colombia’s indigenous cultures. It is a representation of the spirit of and belief in the gods. 

Museo Virtual

From Medellin to the world! The Aburrá Foundation is apart of the  the Google Cultural Institute, and it’s a source of Colombian pride that the collection is on display virtually. 

There are currently almost 200 pieces available to view, captured online for curious art lovers to view and learn from. 

That being said, there’s nothing like the real thing, and these pieces deserve to be seen up close and personal at the museum itself! 

Check Out the Aburrá Foundation

If you’ve already fallen in love with Colombia, the Abburá Foundation can teach you a bit about the origins of this wonderful country

Make sure to add the Aburrá Foundation to your list of places to visit in the beautiful city of Medellin! 

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