Head to the Botero Sculpture Park in Medellín’s Old Quarter and you will find the remarkable Antioquia Museum (Museo de Antioquia). This lovely art deco building, once home to the city hall, now houses a comprehensive tribute to two local legends, Fernando Botero and Pedro Nel Gómez. These two very different artists are both favourite sons of Medellín and the museum’s twin exhibits offer a fascinating glimpse into their respective lives and work. You will also find a range of other artworks and artefacts at the museum.
Phone in advance to reserve an English-language guided tour of the museum. The complex includes numerous temporary and permanent exhibitions, its educational facilities and its on-site workshops.
The centrepiece of the Museo de Antioquia is the pair of collections dedicated to two beloved local artists. Head to the Pedro Nel Gómez room to learn about the life and influences of this great 20th-century modern artist. Admire the original artworks on display from Nel Gómez, who was best known for his murals.
As you approach the museum, you will see a number of humorous, obese-looking sculptures scattered around the plaza. These comical forms are the work of Fernando Botero, whose strange representations of humans and animals have proven to be immensely popular.
Visit the museum’s alternative collection to see hundreds of objects of cultural importance to Colombia, selected from the last couple of centuries of history. Photos, sculptures, paintings and cartoons are all found in this section of the museum. Browse the Sala de las Tres Culturas (Room of Three Cultures), which contains over 200 pieces relating to the nation’s indigenous peoples. The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions.
The Museo de Antioquia is located in the Old Quarter of Medellín, just two blocks from the Berrío Park subway station. The museum is easily accessible by taxi. Stay in the district to see the nearby Parque Bolívar, home to a splendid fountain and the Catedral Metropolitana, or to visit one of the numerous cafés, restaurants and hotels in the area.
