Our tour begins in the south of Medellín, at the Memorial Center, a poignant site that honors the over 45,000 victims of the brutal drug war. This conflict, ignited by Pablo Escobar in response to the Colombian government’s threat of extradition to the U.S., gave rise to the infamous phrase: “I’d rather have a grave in Colombia than a cell in the United States.”

Next, we’ll visit San Antonio Plaza, home to one of the few remaining reminders of our dark past—a Botero sculpture destroyed in a terrorist attack during a concert, a tragic event that killed and injured hundreds of innocent people.

We’ll also pass by the “Virgin of Assassins,” once a shrine where hitmen (sicarios) prayed for protection before carrying out their deadly tasks. In Poblado and Lleras Park, we’ll explore two sculptures dedicated to the victims of paramilitaries and guerrilla forces, delving deeper into their historical impact on the region.

We’ll visit the Pablo Escobar neighborhood, a community built by Escobar for the poor, which still bears his name today. Here, you’ll gain insight into why many in Medellín still hold a complicated reverence for him, despite his criminal legacy.

Throughout the tour, we’ll present an unbiased look at Medellín’s history, allowing you to draw your own conclusions about this complex and transformative period.