Just 35 miles west of Medellín lies one of Antioquia's most popular tourist destinations: the town of Santa Fe de Antioquia. Founded in 1541 by the Cauca River, it remained one of the most prominent towns during colonial times, and was even the capital of Antioquia until 1826, when the city of Medellín was chosen for the title.
With such a rich history, it’s no wonder that Santa Fe de Antioquia was named one of Colombia’s heritage towns back in 2010. It’s cobbled streets and well-preserved colonial architecture in the area near the main park square, offer visitors a glimpse of what village life was like a couple of hundred years ago.
What to do in Santa Fe de Antioquia?
As a tourist destination, Santa Fe de Antioquia (or just plain ‘Antioquia’ as most locals call it) offers many interesting possibilities:
Be sure to visit the Western Bridge (Puente de Occidente in Spanish) a wooden suspension bridge over the Cauca River that was built in 1887. That’s the same year the Eiffel Tower was built!
Visit the Main Square, La Chinca Park and Santa Barbara Park. What better way to get that local feel than to sit on a park bench for a while, drink a cold lemonade or eat an ice cream.
Attend the Santa Fe de Antioquia Film Festival that usually takes place in December. Workshops, conferences and of course, outdoor screenings are part of the Festival’s activities that attract visitors from all over the country.
Visit the Juan del Corral Museum, learn more about Santa Fe’s history and take a glimpse into what life was like in a nineteenth-century home.
Celebrate the Fiestas de los Diablitos (Little devils carnival), a week-long celebration that takes place on the last days of December, and that was established in 1653, making it Antioquia’s oldest town carnival.
If you’re interested in a tourist plan that mixes culture with fun and lets you dive into the local history and traditions,then Viajes Comfama has just what you need. Click here to find out more.
Descubre una forma diferente de hacer turismo en Santa Fe de Antioquia
