If you enjoy art and know a few artists you may already be aware of the Museo De Antioquia and Fernando Botero from Medellin in Colombia, and this article about our visit to the Museo De Antioquia will inspire you to visit Medellin.

Day 189 – September 7th, 2014.

What first attracted us to this place was the big voluminous bronze statues from Fernando Botero. I had no idea about them untill reading up on things to do in Medellin and added it to our list. We walked to the Envigado metro station about 15 minutes away from our place, nice and easy.

The walk to the Envigado Metro station

We bought tickets, which are cheap for such a good metro system in Medellin and got the next metro going to Niquia.

Metro in Medellin

Below is a metro map of Medellin which runs often, and is spotless.

Metro plan for Medellin

Arriving at Parque Berrio the first thing you see from the top of the metro station is a square below with palms and nice shady spots to sit. We left the metro and exited the station at ground level.

The metro runs above the area and it has huge concrete pillars holding it all up, below are a few stalls selling different items.

Arriving at Parque Berrio Metro station

“Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture”

The Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture a magnificent building not just in size but also design stands directly before us as we walk towards the Museum of Antioquia. It is really very beautiful from the outside, we didn’t go in today, but maybe next time.

Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture in Medellin Colombia

We walked past the Museo De Antioquia and went in only to be told it’s not open yet. The Museum opens at 10am, so we took a stroll around the area, past a colourful market.

We did notice that there were a lot more people just lying on the streets and looking generally messed up. The area is pretty dirty if you ask me and we had a less than comfortable feeling as we turned the corner to walk back. During the day it seemed quite safe but I’m not keen on wandering around at night. Maybe I’m wrong but I always follow my gut feeling.

Images from Parque Berrio

The main park area was pretty busy with tourists and locals alike, with sellers offering all sorts of trinkets. The BIG bronze statues are dotted throughout the park or square and you can walk around freely.

These are a few of the Fernando Botero statues in the park some stranger than others.

Fernando Botero Bronze statues

Soon enough 10am came and the Museo De Antioquia opened. Tickets cost 10,000 peso $5.64 AUD per person and can be bought just next to the main entrance. There is also an english commentary if you wish which costs extra.

Inside is like many museums, quite and spacious. We started at the top and made our way down, walking through the exhibitions of various artists as well as Botero’s art.

Museo De Antioquia images

It is a real mix of art from old to modern, paintings to photos, sculpture to 3D paintings the list goes on. Not everything is pleasing to the eye, but that is art.

Some of Botero’s most famous pieces are on display like the one he painted of Pablo Escobars last moments as he was shot on the roof of a building, and also the Ak47 guitar a distinction between peace and war.

The famous Botero painting of Pablo Escobar shot on the roof top

You could easily spend hours in the museum especially if you’re an art buff.

After a few hours we had seen plenty for one day and exited to the main square again, even more people were here now along with lots of sellers offering various goodies. The girls bought some fruits to eat and we made our way back to Envigado.

Parque Berrio in Medellin

The metro is very clean and safe with police at many stations and on some platforms, not once did we feel uneasy.

Metro ticket office, metro station in Medellin, funky metro seating

At Envigado on the walk back to town there is a man that sells sugarcane juice which is yummy unfortunately he’s only there on weekends.

Chilled sugar cane juice

Just after passing under the road above we spotted a restaurant and decided to have menu del dia for lunch.

Late lunch before walking back to our place in Envigado

Lunch gave us energy to walk up the hill back to our place in town.