While Poblado and Laureles are the most popular neighbourhoods in Medellin for tourists, Prado is the most interesting and enigmatic. Here’s to 10 facts to enrich your visit to Prado, Medellin.
1. Prado is the only officially protected barrio in Medellin
Prado is located in Comuna 10 and it is the only barrio that has been declared a patrimonio cultural of the city, which enshrines its protection and conservation. In 2006, 261 buildings were designated as special cultural heritage sites.
2. Medellin’s elites wanted to create an exclusive zone inspired by Europe
The neighbourhood was imagined in the early 20th century when Medellin’s elites wanted to recreate an exclusive enclave in their own city.
They copied everything from Europe, but they copied it well, it must be said
Reinaldo Espitaletta, Medellin historian
3. It was modelled on a ‘garden city’ in Barranquilla
Prado’s construction began in 1926, spearheaded by the urbanist Ricardo Olano, who was inspired by the barrio of the same name in Barranquilla. Its design corresponds with the idea of the garden city, popular in the early part of the 20th century, which emphasised front gardens, wide pedestrian friendly streets and an abundance of plants and trees.
4. It was built on the La Polka finca
The barrio was built on the grounds of a grand finca, known as La Polka.
5. The architecture is eclectic.
The architecture is eclectic, reflecting a multitude of styles, including North American and European. This type of architecture was popularised in the late 19th century and early 20th and is an amalgam of different elements from different styles, with the idea of creating something new.
6. The first mansion is now a church
On carrera 50 you’ll find the first mansion built in Prado. It was commissioned for Joaquin Cano, son-in-law to Ricardo Olano and son of Fidel Cano, the founder of ‘El Espectador’, Colombia’s oldest newspaper and former employer of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The former home is now a church.
7. Casa Prado was home to one of Antioquia’s most important engineers
A block northward up carrera 50 you’ll find the the mansion known as Casa Prado, which was the home of Juan De La Cruz Posada, one of the most important figures in the history of engineering in Antioquia. Juan oversaw the construction of the Antoquia railway, which was vital for the economic development of the region.
8. One home was built to look like a boat
Now home to Antioquia’s Doctor’s Association, ASMEDAS. It was constructed in 1949 for the Cohen family. The internal and external features were built to resemble a boat.
9. The Egyptian palace is a replica of an ancient temple
The Egyptian Palace is the most eye-catching building in Prado. It was the former home of Fernando Estrada, the founder of the Optica Santa Lucia, Medellin’s oldest opticians. The owner was fascinated by ancient Egyptian history and spiritualism. It is the one of the only authentic ancient Egyptian temple in the Americas. A guided tour costs 20,000 pesos.
10. The families started to leave in the 60s
At the start of the 1960s, Medellin grew rapidly as result of inward migration from campesinos fleeing the violence engulfing the country. Soon Prado was not the exclusive enclave it had been. Akin to white flight in the US, the owners abandoned their houses, moving to the more ‘peaceful’ neighbourhoods of Poblado and Laureles.
Further information:
You can reach Prado via the metro: the best stations are Prado or Hospital.
A great way to get to know the area is through a walking tour. Find out more from Alejandro.
The area is safe to walk around during the day.
