Santa Rosa de Osos, Colonial municipality in Northern Antioquia, Colombia.
Santa Rosa de Osos is a municipality in Northern Antioquia's mountain region, located at 2,640 meters elevation and covering approximately 812 square kilometers. The terrain rises into a landscape of valleys and hills where farmland and grasslands dominate the surroundings.
The area was originally inhabited by the Nutabé indigenous people before Spanish settlers arrived in 1541. From these early encounters, a formal municipality gradually emerged and was officially established in 1814.
The townscape reflects a deep Catholic tradition visible in churches and religious buildings that have shaped community life since the diocese was established. This spiritual identity remains woven into daily routines and architectural choices throughout the municipality.
The area is agricultural in character and known for producing milk that supplies surrounding communities in the region. The municipality also manages water reservoirs, including Lakes Riogrande I and II, that provide water resources for the Aburrá Valley below.
The original name "Valley of the Bears" came from Spanish captain Francisco Vallejo, though no historical records ever documented bears actually living in the area. This naming choice created a mystery that persisted for centuries about why the territory carried such a distinctive designation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
