Guarne

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Antioquia

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Location

Guarne, Antioquia
45 minutes from Medellin
37 km( 23miles)

Weather

Average 23c (73f)

Official Website

guarne-antioquia.gov.co

Gateway Door to Medellin

Located within the Oriente subregion of the department of Antioquia, lies the charming municipality of Guarne. This town shares its borders with Copacabana, Girardota, San Vicente, Rionegro and Medellín. Located just 25 kilometers from Medellín, the capital of Antioquia, Guarne boasts an expansive territory spanning 151 square kilometers.

The History of Guarne

Guarne’s history, like many towns in this eastern corner of Antioquia, is deeply rooted in the legacies of indigenous cultures. It was the Tahamíes, followed by the Caribes who migrated from the Río Nare, who first inhabited the Guarne region. The name “Guarne” derives from “Guane,” the name of a chief from the La Mosca Valley and a member of the Guane tribe, which originally inhabited the territories of the present-day Santander department.

In 1541, Álvaro Mendoza stumbled upon Guarne, but his quest for gold led him back to the Valle de Aburrá. In 1640, Captain Fernando del Toro Zapata from Remedios and the Spaniard Diego Beltrán del Castillo also arrived in Guarne in search of the elusive precious metal.

In 1757, Guarne was elevated to the status of a Partido, under the jurisdiction of Rionegro. On December 23, 1817, Governor Juan del Corral established the Municipio of Guarne.

Things To Do in Guarne

Guarne, a town in Antioquia, is not just known for its natural beauty but also for its cultural and historical heritage. Here are some fascinating things to do and places to explore in Guarne:

Parroquia Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria

Located in the Main Square, this beautiful church is a masterpiece of religious architecture. Its interior is adorned with stained glass windows depicting religious imagery, wooden and glass urns containing images of Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria and San Francisco de Asís, and various religious sculptures. The church’s striking white exterior features columns painted in golden and red hues, along with a captivating altar at the center.

Parroquia Santa Ana

Just four blocks from the Main Square in the San Vicente neighborhood, Parroquia Santa Ana is a historic church known for its colonial-style architecture. Built between 1930 and 1940, the church boasts a unique entrance made of cobblestone arches. Inside, you’ll find antique paintings representing the Stations of the Cross, as well as venerable images like the Virgen de Guadalupe and the Holy Family.

Parroquia San Antonio de Padua

While this parish is currently under construction, it will play a significant role in Guarne’s cultural life. Every June, the town celebrates the festivities in honor of San Antonio de Padua, its patron saint.

Casa de la Cultura

Located just one block from the Main Square, this two-story colonial-style building, constructed approximately 18 years ago, serves as a hub for cultural activities in Guarne. Visitors can participate in various art workshops, enjoy permanent exhibitions, and attend outdoor cultural programs featuring storytelling, theater, dance, and music.

Unidad Deportiva La Equidad

This modern sports complex offers a synthetic soccer field, sports shooting ranges, and a skating track for races and routes. It’s also home to the administrative offices of INDER Guarne, the local sports and recreation authority.

Alcaldía (Town Hall)

The modern two-story Town Hall, situated in the Main Square, showcases artwork by Guarne’s local artists. Periodically, it hosts exhibitions of visual arts.

Parque Ecológico Piedras Blancas

Located in the surrounding area, Piedras Blancas ecological park is a great place for nature lovers. It features natural forests with ecological trails, picnic areas with barbecue grills, a reservoir for boating, a restaurant, a cafeteria, viewpoints, and parking facilities. You can also camp here. Don’t miss the Insectario-Museo Entomológico and the thrilling zipline.

Ecoparque Siete Cueros

Just 7 kilometers from the Main Square, Ecoparque Siete Cueros offers a variety of activities, including cabin accommodations for groups, sport fishing lakes, horse rentals, a restaurant, a cafeteria, children’s play areas, and recreational services. Explore the farm where you can interact with animals, take an ecological tour through the natural reserve showcasing the cabuya and tapetuza plants, discover ancient indigenous gold mine ruins, and enjoy the natural swimming pool.

Cascada La Brizuela

Situated in the La Brizuela area, this waterfall offers splendid trails for observing the native flora and fauna. Its crystal-clear water source invites you to take a refreshing dip.

Cascada del Diablo and Cascada El Salto

Explore these two stunning waterfalls, each with its unique charm, providing opportunities for hiking and nature appreciation.

Alto de la Virgen

Located in the Alto de la Virgen area, this site houses the Sanctuary of María Santificadora. On the first Saturdays of every month, pilgrimages are held to honor the Virgin Santificadora.

El Santuario del Ave María

Found in the Guamito area, this sanctuary serves as a spiritual retreat center for prayer groups and healing Masses.

Outdoor Adventures

Shooting: Just outside the town you have a couple places where you can go shooting. There’s an outdoor range you can shoot shotgun, hand guns, uzi machine gun and more. You can also learn about safety handling of fire arms.

ATV Adventure: There’s a few ATV Tour guides in Guarne area. It’s great for adrenaline-packed adventure thrill seekers looking to go explore the landscapes, and dense forest. The tour is roughly between 1 to 2 hours depending on the package and agency you choose.

How To Get to Guarne

Guarne is conveniently located near Medellín, making it an accessible destination for travelers. Here’s how to get to Guarne:

Bus: Taking a bus from Medellín to Guarne is one of the most common options, as it’s the most economical way of travel. If you prefer the bus, you can take a local bus from the Terminal del Norte in Medellín, which will have a route to Guarne. Be sure to check the bus schedule and routes in advance

Private Driver / Car: The journey takes approximately 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The highway connects Medellín to Guarne. Follow the signs for Guarne as you exit Medellín. The town is well-marked, and you’ll find clear directions along the way. The distance between Medellín and Guarne is roughly 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), and the well-maintained road offers scenic views of the surrounding countryside

Taxi / Uber: Taxis are readily available in Medellín and offer a convenient way to reach Guarne. Simply hail a taxi and provide the driver with the destination address in Guarne. Ensure that the taxi has a meter or agree on a fare with the driver before starting your journey