Hacienda El Paraíso, Colonial museum in El Cerrito Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
Hacienda El Paraíso is a museum in a colonial mansion in El Cerrito, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, displaying living quarters, kitchens, and service buildings. The structure extends around a central patio with colonnades and open galleries connecting several rooms filled with original furniture and everyday items.
Construction began in 1816 and finished in 1828 under the direction of local landowners who cultivated sugar cane. The government declared the site a national monument in 1959 after it reopened as a museum in 1953.
The property takes its name from a central location in Jorge Isaacs' novel María, published in 1867, and displays everyday objects from 19th-century life. Visitors see furniture, household items, and personal belongings that show how families lived in Valle del Cauca over a century ago.
The museum opens daily from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM with an entrance fee of 9,000 COP for adults and reduced rates for children and seniors. The rooms sit on one level connected by outdoor walkways, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
A large rock in front of the facade serves as a photo spot for couples recreating a scene from the novel María. This boulder appears in the text and is often visited by guests who appreciate the literary connection.
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