About Plaza Botero - Medellín

Plaza Botero – Medellín

Medellín’s Plaza Botero is home to the largest collection of Fernando Botero sculptures anywhere in the world.

Plaza Botero or Plaza de Las Esculturas in Medellín is over 8000 square metres of public space that occupies the area in front of the Museo de Antioquia and also surrounds the Uribe Palace of Culture. In this space exists a perfect mix of art, culture and nature in which 23 of Botero’s bronze sculptures are on permanent display . Donated by Medellín’s own Fernando Botero years ago and put into place in 2002, they adorn the surrounding area and create an amazing outdoor exhibit.

Among the pieces on display are The Hand, Eve, Maternity, Man on horseback, and Roman Soldier to name but a few. Many of these same pieces have been on display previously in museums including Paris, New York and Madrid. Plaza Botero is probably one of the most photographed areas of the city as locals and tourists alike gather in the plaza to admire the bronze creations from one of Colombia’s most famous artists.

Fernando Botero created and cast the bronze sculptures from his design studios in Pietra Santa, Italy along with the rest of his collection of sculptures. The sculptures receive routine maintenance every six months by the Museo de Antioquia in accordance with the instructions from Botero himself. After almost 10 years, the display of sculptures that occupy Plaza Botero are having a positive impact on the area and the city of Medellín. Besides the Botero sculptures, there are native ceiba and yellow lignum vitae trees that occupy the green areas of the plaza as well as tall, sky reaching palm trees that remind us we are in the highland mountains of the tropics. There are numerous cafés in the area as well as the famous Hotel Nutibara, a landmark that sits adjacent to the plaza.