Medellin - photos

Medellin:

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia and is located in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northern regions of the Andes. It has a population of 3.2 million inhabitants inside the metropolitan area. Medellín was founded in 1616 by the Spanish Francisco Herrera y Campuzano.

During the last quarter of the 20th century, Medellín became the headquarter of the famous Pablo Escobar, leader of its criminal organization, who became the seventh richest man in the world from drug trade in 1989. Because he and his associates settled their business in Medellin, his organization was named the "Cartel de Medellin" by the American media. Escobar led a terrorist war (1980's - 1990's) against the Colombian government in order to dissuade any intention of extradition to the U.S.A until he was killed by police forces on 1993. The Medellin Cartel War was one of the most notable factors causing the city's reputation as a violent and dangerous city, being the motive for a large number of murders. This reputation is one that the city is still trying hard to shake off. Medellin is now a important industrialised city with a very good dynamism with lots of universities, festivities and nightlife.

When we arrived in Medellin, it was pouring rain and impossible to find an hostel with a room available! We found a place in the city center close to one of the most busy roads! And during all the week-end, it was pouring rain so we did not go to visit the town too much. Only a trip to the nearest supermarket close to the Parque Bolivar. We met various people who asked us what we were thinking about Medellin. Nothing bad for us as we did not feel unsafe just like every place we have visited so far. They are still worried about the reputation of the town and were happy to see some tourists visiting their town.

- View of a part of the city from the Metro station directly linked to the North Terminal of buses. The Metro system is very efficient here and offers superb views of the town,
- The Medellin River (or also called Porce), bordering the Metro system, was very high and brown coming from all the rain. In Colombia, January is supposed to be a dry month but El Nino is here...,
- View of a conmercial street. Again like Cali, a 1970's feeling, no?
- The Metropolitan Cathedral is said to be the biggest only-brick temple (1.2 million bricks!) of the world with 45 metres of high and 5,000 meters square of area,
- Plaza Bolivar with in the background the Metropolitan Cathedral.