Guatapé, Lakeside municipality in Eastern Antioquia, Colombia
Guatapé is a municipality in Eastern Antioquia, Colombia, located on the shores of an artificial reservoir. The streets rise and fall along the hillsides, while colorful houses cluster around a central plaza and lead into narrow lanes.
The settlement began in 1811 under the leadership of Francisco Giraldo y Jimenez and received municipality status in 1867. The name honors a native cacique who once lived in this region.
The painted baseboards on buildings depict scenes from daily routines, including coffee farming, fishing and traditional crafts. Each house tells a small story through its own motifs about the family or trade located there.
Buses leave regularly from Medellín Terminal Norte and take about two hours to cover the 79 kilometer route. The streets in town are steep and paved, so comfortable footwear is advisable.
A massive rock formation rises 200 meters (656 feet) above the surrounding terrain and carries 740 steps carved into its surface. From the top, visitors see the branching network of the reservoir, which consists of several interconnected arms.
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