El Peñón de Guatapé, Inselberg monolith in Guatapé, Colombia
The granite monolith rises 2135 meters above sea level, forming a massive natural structure that dominates the landscape of Antioquia Department.
The first climbing expedition to reach the summit took place in July 1954, when Luis Eduardo Villegas López spent five days ascending the rock face.
The naming dispute between Guatapé and El Peñol communities led to an incomplete painting of letters on the western face of the monolith.
Visitors can reach the summit through a 740-step staircase, where a three-story viewing platform provides panoramic views of the surrounding reservoir.
The rock formation contains a geological composition dating back 65 million years, making it one of the oldest exposed granite plutons in South America.
Location: Guatapé
Elevation above the sea: 2,135 m
Made from material: granite
GPS coordinates: 6.21945,-75.17915
Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:38
Stairs serve not only to overcome elevation changes but often rank among the notable structures of their cities. The Spanish Steps in Rome with its 135 steps has connected two districts since 1725 and became a meeting point for locals and visitors. In Montmartre, 222 steps lead to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, while Jacob's Ladder on Saint Helena with 699 steps forms one of the longest straight stairways in the world. The selection includes various construction types: spiral staircases in medieval towers, rock-carved ascents to temples and fortresses, and modern outdoor stairs made of concrete and steel. Some stairs were built for practical reasons like the steps to Table Mountain in Cape Town, others as part of religious sites like the stairs to the Golden Rock in Myanmar. Each staircase tells the story of the engineering skills of its era and the people who use it daily.
Colombia presents geographic diversity that spans Caribbean coastlines, Andean highlands, Pacific forests, and eastern plains. The country encompasses colonial architecture in towns like Barichara and Mompox, where centuries-old stone buildings and churches reflect Spanish heritage. Natural formations include the Tatacoa Desert with its red sandstone canyons, the seasonal colors of Caño Cristales river, and the coastal dunes at Punta Gallinas marking South America's northernmost point. Coffee-growing regions such as Jardín preserve traditional Antioquian architecture, while islands like Providencia and Gorgona protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems in both Caribbean and Pacific waters. From the arid landscapes of La Guajira Desert inhabited by Wayuu communities to the neo-Gothic architecture of Las Lajas Sanctuary bridging a river canyon, these locations demonstrate the country's contrasts. Visitors can explore mountain trails, observe astronomical phenomena in clear desert skies, discover colonial goldsmithing traditions, and witness humpback whale migrations. Each destination contributes to understanding Colombia's environmental and cultural range, offering experiences that vary from remote wilderness areas to well-preserved historical settlements across different elevations and climates.
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