Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: A Walk Through History

One of the best joys of traveling is indulging in the culture and truly getting to know the city that you’re visiting.  Part of being able to do this is learning more about its history, as it can help you better understand the country as a whole.  When you’re in Medellin, one of the most important tours that you can take in order to learn more about the history is the famous graffiti tour.  You may be asking yourself, what’s so special about graffiti?  Well, the graffiti that fills these streets tell a story of pain and hope, which is why it’s so important to learn why Comuna 13 is symbolic of the transformation that this city has gone through.

 

History of Comuna 13

Today, we know Comuna 13 as a cool place to visit, with great artwork and amazing views of the city.  Years ago, however, it didn’t have the same reputation; in fact, it wasn’t a place that you would visit while vacationing in Colombia.

In the 1960’s and 70’s, families from different parts of Colombia started coming to Medellin looking for jobs and/or fleeing the conflict that was occuring in the rural areas of Antioquia.  During this time, one of the illegal settlements that was built was called Comuna 13.  The families that came here lived in self-constructed homes, they didn’t have running water, and many people struggled to find jobs.  Due to their vulnerability and their prime location to take in and out illegal drugs and weaponry, different armed groups were fighting to take control of the area.  This led to a war within the comuna, leaving many people murdered and grabbing the attention of the entire country.  

It wasn’t until 2002 that the Orión Operation was put into place, which was a huge military intervention.  After the intervention, the control of the comuna was given to the paramilitaries, which led to hundreds of more deaths.  It wasn’t until a couple of years later that this neighborhood actually started to transform as a result of the money that was invested into it.  In 2006, the metrocable in Medellin added a new cable line to San Javier Station; this allowed families to have easier access to the city.  Then in 2011, electrical escalators were constructed so that the locals didn’t have to worry about climbing the steep hill, but it also encouraged tourists to start coming.

Over time, as more and more tourists and locals became interested in the story behind Comuna 13, the more the neighborhood transformed.  What once was a battlefield, is now a place where historical tours are given, where locals have the opportunity to start their own businesses, and where families can feel more at peace.  Now that you know why Comuna 13 became famous, let’s take a look at what you can expect while you’re there.

 

What to Expect on Your Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour

When you take a tour through Comuna 13, you should expect to:

 

Ride the Metrocable

 

On your tour, you’ll get the opportunity to ride the metrocable so that you can get the full experience.  This will allow you to understand how difficult it would have been for locals to travel without this form of transportation, and you’ll also get amazing views of the city.

 

Appreciate the Graffitti

 

As mentioned in the name of the tour, you can expect to see a lot of graffiti.  And it’s not just one or two amateur paintings; the streets are filled with amazing artwork from artists from around the country.  

 

Learn About the History

 

You may have learned a little about the history from this article, but it’s only an introduction.  Your tour guide will dive deeper into the history of this neighborhood and how it’s transformed.

 

Drink and Eat Authentic Snacks

 

All over the streets you’ll see locals selling traditional snacks.  Whether you stop for a michelada or go for one of the famous ice creams, don’t forget to try new and delicious things.  This is also a great way to support the local economy.

 

Watch Street Dancers

 

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the street performers dance and express themselves through their movements.  You can stay and watch for a while, or watch for a couple of minutes and then continue your tour.

The next time you’re in Medellin, we recommend that you take a Comuna 13 graffiti tour and learn more about the amazing transformation that it has gone through.