Why are there escalators in Medellín?
The Secret: Social Inclusion Whereas many cities in Latin America are full of innovative ideas, especially when it comes to transport, Medellín goes one step further. The city manages to place an emphasis on social inclusion, as you can see in the example with the escalators.
What happened Comuna 13?
Through 2002, Comuna 13 registered 450 illegal detentions, 75 casualties out of combat, nearly 100 disappeared and more than 2,000 displaced residents. During the following years Comuna 13 lived in relative peace since there were not any official paramilitaries or guerrillas.
Is Medellín built into a hillside?
Because of the pleasant springlike climate all year, Medellín is known as “La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera” or “City of the Eternal Spring”. However, as the city is located in a valley and many of its districts are on slopes, temperatures can be slightly cooler on the surrounding mountains.
Is Medellín hilly?
Medellín is a sprawling metropolis with numerous residential areas overlooking the city from steep mountainsides. As such, you’ll have a bunch of options for lodging, but I recommend the neighborhood of El Poblado.
Is Bogota or Medellín better?
The overall judgment would be that Medellin is considered safer than Bogota. The capital attracts more pickpocketers, thieves, and more areas seem unsafe at night. You need to be cautious and use your good judgment. No matter where you are, just use basic safety precautions, and you will be fine.
Can you drink the tap water in Medellín?
The tap water in Medellin is perfectly safe to drink, there is no need to buy bottled water or worry about the ice in your drink. The water might taste a little chlorinated, but it’s convenient to know that you always have a free and safe option for water anywhere in the city.
What is a Comuna in Colombia?
Comuna 13 Medellin is an over-populated and low socio-economic zone that crawls up along the west hills of the city with thousands of brick and cement homes stacked close to one another. It was a pivotal center for paramilitary, guerrilla, and gang activity.
Do you need a guide for Comuna 13?
Taking a guided tour to Comuna 13 is the easiest way to visit Comuna 13. You’ll either be met in Poblado, Laureles or at the exit of the San Javier Metro station. Our guide to the Medellin metro makes it REALLY easy to navigate Medellin’s fabulous metro system.
What is a commune in Colombia?
The urban area of Medellín, Colombia is divided into six zones, which in turn are divided into 16 communes. Communes are then divided into neighborhoods (Spanish: barrios) and institutional areas. The city has 249 neighborhoods and 20 institutional areas.
Is Medellín a poor city?
Medellin’s poverty rate increased for the first time in 2018 after more than a decade of steady decline and surged as a consequence of the economic crisis causes by the coronavirus crisis. By the end of 2020, more than 9% of the city lived in extreme poverty, meaning they had to survive of less than $45 a month.
Where is Comuna 13 located in Medellin?
Comuna 13 (San Javier) is located in Zone 4 of Medellín, along the western fringes of the city. To get to the commune, take the metro to San Javier metro station. From there, it’s a 15 to 20 minute walk to the foot of the escalators, or you can take a bus (221i or 225i).
What makes Medellin’s outdoor escalators so special?
Outdoor escalators and art have helped change what was once a notoriously dangerous part of Medellín. Comuna 13 used to be one of the most dangerous areas in Medellin but community projects and a series of outdoor escalators have helped turn this poor district into one of the most colorful communes in the city.
How long does it take to walk to Comuna 13?
For years, the 12,000 residents of the hilly neighborhood of Comuna 13 used to climb hundreds of large steps, the equivalent of 28 stories, to get from the city center to their homes. The arduous 30-minute walk has now been cut short to a five-minute ride, with the installation of an urban escalator system in 2011.
What makes Comuna 13 so special?
Many murals tell the story of Comuna 13, or depict local heroes, the artwork sliding by as you ride the escalator up to the top of the hill, where a lookout and boardwalk provide excellent views across the city. It’s been a dramatic shift for Comuna 13, and tourists now come to ride the escalator and see the street art.