Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture, Gothic Revival palace in La Candelaria, Medellín, Colombia

The Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture is a Gothic Revival public building on Plaza de Botero, at Calle 52 (Calibío) and Carrera 51 (Bolívar). Its stone facade alternates dark and light blocks in a checkered pattern; the left section rises to a steep triangular gable with arched windows and a shield-shaped relief, beside a round domed turret topped with a cross. The right wing continues with tall arched windows, pointed gables and small domed turrets, all crowned by thin metal crosses. Only part of Agustín Goovaerts's design was built.

Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts began the project in 1920; construction started in 1925 with the corner of Calibío and Bolívar streets. Work was halted by the 1929 crisis and Goovaerts left for Belgium in 1928. Suspended indefinitely in 1938 with the north side unfinished, the building was only completed in 1970, and the government moved out to La Alpujarra in 1987.

The building is named after General Rafael Uribe Uribe, a Liberal Party leader who fought in the Thousand Days War. Since 1987 it has housed the Institute of Culture and Heritage of Antioquia, which runs concerts, conferences and art exhibitions here. Inside, look for bronze reliefs cast by Bernardo Vieco and Ignacio Gómez Jaramillo's fresco "The Liberation of Slaves".

The palace faces Botero Plaza at the corner of Calle 52 (Calibío) and Carrera 51 (Bolívar), diagonally across from Parque Berrío metro station. Entry is free. Inside are the historical and photographic archive, the music and sound archive, a library, documentation centre, café, permanent art gallery and the Rafael Uribe Uribe museum room; the dome serves as auditorium and projection room.

Inside, the building features a large dome that has been repurposed as an auditorium and screening room, hosting film shows and live performances. Many visitors discover this hidden architectural element only when they step into the interior spaces.