Manrique
A musical heart! In the northeastern area of Medellín, a one-of-a-kind experience awaits—brimming with art, dance, music and color.
Manrique, one of the main neighborhoods in the northeastern area of Medellín, is by nature a musical neighborhood. On every corner of its steep streets you’ll feel the seductive melody of the bandoneón or the enveloping drums of salsa. Avenida 45 is the artery that runs north to south through the lower part of Comuna 3 — the main axis of commerce, nightlife and movement in the area.
- The name Manrique comes from the surname of Dr. Juan Evangelista Manrique, a physician from Bogotá who provided his services to one of the developers of this area.
- One of the most beautiful things about Medellín is that you can interact with its communities — look for tours with local guides.
We recommend taking the Metroplús and getting off at Palos Verdes or Gardel stations. - To explore the ‘Constellations’ macromural, wear comfortable shoes, apply sunscreen, contact a local guide and bring your camera or phone for some incredible photos.
- If you’d like a dance-and-rhythm experience, get in touch with Unión Latina or El Balcón de los Artistas, two groups that have opened their doors to offer workshops and create spaces for visitors and the community to enjoy together.
- Dance lessons: Want to learn to dance or simply unwind moving your body to the beat? In Manrique you can take dance lessons or attend rehearsals of academies that have been transforming the neighborhood for years and training young people who see music and dance as an alternative path.
In Manrique, Avenida 45 is well known, but so are its other landmarks: the impressive Church of the Lord of Mercy with its Gothic style; the Casa Gardeliana, where on the last Friday of every month a free-entry milonga takes place; the monument to Carlos Gardel, where his death is commemorated every June 24; and the ‘Constellations’ macromural — Medellín’s largest mural — which, with its vibrant colors on the hillside, brings together more than 500 façades and 30 murals created by local artists and collectives.