Attraction
Plaza Botero
An open-air square of 7,000 square metres in central Medellín displaying 23 bronze sculptures donated by Fernando Botero, framed by two of the city's landmark buildings.
Museo de Antioquia
Medellín's principal art museum, founded as the Zea Museum in 1881 and home to a large donation of works by Fernando Botero beside Plaza Botero.
At a glance
- Type
- Art and history museum
- Area
- La Candelaria (Centro), Medellín, Colombia
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- museodeantioquia.co
Good to know
- Sala Fernando Botero
- Museum shop
- Sign-language (LSC) activities
- Online tickets
- Near Parque Berrío metro
Why we recommend it
The Museo de Antioquia is the cultural anchor of Medellín's old centre and the natural starting point for a day downtown. Its story goes back to 1881, when a group led by Manuel Uribe Ángel set up the Zea Museum in the library of what was then the Sovereign State of Antioquia. It was refounded as a private non-profit in 1946 and opened in 1955 in the Casa de la Moneda, a former aguardiente factory beside the Church of the Veracruz, a building the museum still uses for experimental shows. It took the name Museo de Antioquia after 1978, the year Fernando Botero made his first donation of works.
Botero is the reason many visitors come. The Sala Fernando Botero gathers paintings and sculptures by Medellín's most famous artist, who gave the museum 119 pieces in all, and his bronzes fill the square outside. The museum is far more than a single-artist gallery, though. Long-term rooms include a display dedicated to Débora Arango (1907-2005), alongside rooms such as Variaciones del presente, Promesas de la Modernidad, El Barro Tiene Voz and Historias para Repensar, and an international room devoted to the sculptor Sophia Vari. Temporary exhibitions change through the year.
The museum opens Monday to Saturday from 9:40 to 17:30 and on Sundays and public holidays from 9:40 to 16:30. It closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Tickets, issued as wristbands, can be bought online in advance, and groups can arrange visits through the museum. The museum runs SeñaLab, a mediation lab created with the Deaf community, and programmes activities and tours in Colombian Sign Language.
Allow two to three hours to see the Botero rooms and a good part of the collection without rushing. The museum suits anyone with an interest in Colombian art and history, and the Botero works in particular appeal to families and first-time visitors.
The museum stands on Carrera 52 in the old centre, close to Parque Berrío station on Metro Line A. It faces Plaza Botero and the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, so it combines naturally with a walk around the square, Parque Berrío and the surrounding streets. The Tienda del Museo, the museum shop, also sells online, and you can message the museum on WhatsApp with questions before a visit.
Museo de Antioquia FAQs
What are the opening hours of the Museo de Antioquia?
Monday to Saturday 9:40 to 17:30, and Sundays and public holidays 9:40 to 16:30.
Which days is the museum closed?
It closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Can I buy tickets online?
Yes. The museum sells entry wristbands through its website.
Does the museum have works by Fernando Botero?
Yes. The Sala Fernando Botero shows his paintings and sculptures, and Botero gave the museum 119 pieces in total.
Which metro station is nearest?
Parque Berrío on Metro Line A, a short walk from the museum.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours covers the Botero rooms and a good selection of the other galleries.
Is the museum accessible to Deaf visitors?
The museum runs SeñaLab, a mediation lab with the Deaf community, and schedules activities and tours in Colombian Sign Language.
When was the museum founded?
It traces its origins to the Zea Museum, set up in 1881, and opened in the Casa de la Moneda building in 1955.