Attraction
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.
Museo El Castillo
A Loire-inspired castle begun in 1930 in El Poblado, now a house museum with 14 furnished rooms, French-style gardens and daily guided tours in English.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic house museum and gardens
- Area
- El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- museoelcastillo.org
Good to know
- Guided tours in English
- French-style gardens
- Lockers
- Paid parking
- Gardens-only tickets
Why we recommend it
Museo El Castillo is one of Medellín's more unexpected sights: a Gothic-style castle in El Poblado, modelled on the châteaux of France's Loire Valley. Construction began in 1930 to designs by the architect Nel Rodríguez for José Tobón Uribe, who had brought the plans with him and lived here until his death in 1942. That year the industrialist Diego Echavarría Misas, from Itagüí, bought it as a family home.
The house became a museum in 1971. After Echavarría Misas was kidnapped and murdered, his widow, Doña Dita, donated the castle with its decoration and furnishings so that it could be opened to the public. The permanent exhibition runs through 14 rooms, among them the entrance hall, the Salón Francés, the music room, the Louis XV room, the library and the bedroom of Don Diego, as well as two rooms dedicated to his daughter Isolda. Look out for porcelain and crystal, stained glass, tapestries, paintings, sculpture and period furniture.
Visits to the interior are by guided tour, which is included in the castle-and-gardens ticket. Tours in English run twice a day, at 11:00 and 15:00, and places are assigned at the ticket office according to availability, so arrive early, especially at weekends. Photography is not allowed inside, and bags and pushchairs must be left in lockers during the tour. A cheaper gardens-only ticket is available.
The French-style gardens are the other half of the visit, and the museum presents them as a place to stroll, take photographs and relax, with picnics offered on the lawns; you can stay in the gardens until 18:00. Pets are not allowed, and professional photo shoots must be booked in advance. The castle also has a concert hall, a room for temporary art exhibitions and an art school, and hosts seasonal events such as a Parisian-style food market.
The museum opens Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 and at weekends and on public holidays from 10:00 to 17:00. It stands on Calle 9 Sur in El Poblado, and there is paid parking on site for cars and motorcycles. Allow about two hours for the tour and gardens.
Museo El Castillo FAQs
What are the opening hours of Museo El Castillo?
Monday to Friday 9:00 to 17:00, and weekends and public holidays 10:00 to 17:00. You can stay in the gardens until 18:00.
Are there tours in English?
Yes. There are two English-language guided tours a day, at 11:00 and 15:00, assigned at the ticket office by availability.
Can I take photos inside?
No. Photography is not allowed inside the museum, though you can take photos in the gardens.
Can I visit only the gardens?
Yes. There is a gardens-only ticket as well as a ticket for the guided tour of the castle and gardens.
Are pets allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed in the gardens.
Who built the castle?
Construction began in 1930 for José Tobón Uribe, to a design by Nel Rodríguez; Diego Echavarría Misas bought it in 1942.
When did it become a museum?
In 1971, after Doña Dita, the widow of Diego Echavarría Misas, donated the castle and its furnishings.
Is there parking?
Yes, paid parking for cars and motorcycles.
How can I contact the museum?
By phone on +57 604 266 0900 or by email at [email protected].