Museo de Antioquia
Colombia's finest art museum, home to the world's largest collection of Fernando Botero paintings and sculptures. The pre-Columbian gold gallery alone is worth the visit.
Explore the Museo de Antioquia
The Story Behind Museo de Antioquia
Founded in 1881
The Museum of Antioquia began as the Museum and Library of Zea, making it the first museum founded in the Antioquia department and the second in Colombia. Its collection was formed by pre-Columbian and colonial art, relics associated with personalities and events of Independence, and elements of natural history donated by its founders.
The Botero Connection
In the 1970s, Fernando Botero began donating works from his personal collection in exchange for improving museum conditions. His donations between 1974 and 2012 inhabit a large part of the museum and constitute the world's largest Botero collection. The third floor is dedicated entirely to Botero and exhibits such controversial works as "The Death of Pablo Escobar."
A New Home
In the 1990s, the museum faced imminent bankruptcy. Botero and museum directors secured support to move to the old Municipal Palace, an Art Deco building declared a national monument in 1995. The restoration concluded in 2001 with the inauguration of Plaza Botero. Since 2016, under director María del Rosario Escobar, the museum launched "Museo 360" — a project to make the museum a space for encounters and reflections that recognize the reality of the city.
Highlights
Plan Your Visit
🕐 Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM | Sunday: Closed
🎫 Tickets
Nationals: COP $14,000 | Foreigners: COP $21,000 | Students/60+: COP $10,500 | Under 7: Free | Groups (5+): Discounts available
📍 Address
Carrera 52 #52-43, La Candelaria, Medellín
🚇 Getting There
Parque Berrío Station (Line A) — 5-minute walk
Make the Most of Your Visit
- •Free guided tour in Spanish daily at 2:00 PM — highly recommended
- •Start on the 3rd floor with Botero's permanent collection, then work your way down
- •Photography is allowed without flash on floors 1-2, but NOT on the 3rd floor (Botero room)
- •Plan 2-3 hours to see the entire collection thoroughly
- •You can store belongings at the ticket office on the first floor
- •Combine your visit with Plaza Botero — they're right next to each other