Get away from the bustle of the city with a visit to the serene El Castillo Museum. Relax in the museum’s beautifully manicured gardens and take in spectacular views of Medellín, then head inside and delve into the history of this culturally and historically important site. Originally constructed in 1930 for Diego Echavarria Misas, an aristocrat from Spain, the Gothic-style castle has been a museum since 1971.
Explore El Castillo’s nine rooms, each of which contains the decorations and furnishings of its previous occupants. As you go from room to room you’ll see lavish jewellery, gifts from international dignitaries, a large collection of spoons and photographs of the family. Visit the castle library and climb the winding staircase to a balcony that looks out over the garden. The walls of the castle are covered with artwork from Spain, Italy and France.
El Castillo Museum looks out over the city from its hilltop perch in Medellín’s wealthy Poblado neighbourhood. Stand on one of the building’s verandas and marvel at the gorgeous panorama of the city and the surrounding mountains. Sit and relax by the large fountain in the manicured main garden or explore the smaller side gardens. As you wander through the grounds, admire the façade of the castle with its fairytale-like red-capped spires.
As you walk through the grounds, keep an eye out for parrots, squirrels and other local wildlife. The flower-filled grounds are quite peaceful and are a great place for a quiet afternoon picnic. Visit the castle’s café to get a coffee or some juice to sip as you enjoy Medellín’s famous year-round temperate weather.
El Castillo Museum is situated in the Poblado district, which is just south of the centre of the city. This area is also home to the best nightlife in Medellín and boasts a wide variety of hotels, restaurants and bars. Stroll through the surrounding streets to find book markets and fashionable cafés. To get to the castle, take the subway to the Poblado Station stop and then take a cab the rest of the way to the castle.
