About Parque Berrío - Medellín

Parque Berrío – Medellín

Historical Parque Berrío is one of Medellín’s most important meeting places.

Parque Berrío is the epicentre of downtown Medellín life. It is the place where Antioqueños have gathered for generations as their main meeting point. The history of the park is closely linked to that of Iglesia La Candelaria, built initially in 1680.

Referred to colloquially as the Main Square by locals, it was the anteroom of the church, and all parishioners gathered in it before and after church service. Between the years of 1784 and 1892, the public market was located there and it was oftentimes the stage for public executions and grandiose political events.

Medellín, like all big cities with a Spanish influence, was a place where the wealthiest families lived around the principal city square. In 1895, the name was changed to Plaza Pedro Justo Berrío to honour one of the main political figures of Antioquia society during the 19th century.

Before becoming the financial zone of Medellín, Parque Berrío suffered intermittent fires in 1917, 1921 and 1922. The old houses that once lined the area had to be knocked down in order to make way for newer, more modern structures. Soon after, the area gave way to more commercial residents such as banking and retail operations.

The greatest transformation to Plaza Pedro Justo Berrío came during the end of the 1980′s and beginning of the 1990′s, when it underwent a process of renewal and rehabilitation in order to fix structural issues as well as redesign many elements. This work was done in order to provide appropriate urban planning for the new Medellín Metro station that was built in the area. Today, the park is primarily a meeting place for people who live and work in the area.