Guatape
Encyclopedia
Guatapé is a town and municipality
in Antioquia Department
, Colombia
. Part of the subregion of Eastern Antioquia
. Guatapé is located in the outskirts of Medellín
, bordering a reservoir created by the Colombian government for a hydro-electric dam, built in the late 1960s. This quaint town is the gathering place for "Las Vegas", or the small farms of the area. It is also a growing area of recreation for citizens of Medellín, and aims to be a tourist destination for foreign travellers.
Guatapé was founded in 1811, by the spaniard Don Francisco Giraldo y Jimenez. The name "Guatapé", comes from the Quechua
language, related to "stones and water". The area was visited by the conquistadors circa 1551.
On the late 20th century, Guatapé became one of the most important electric production centers in the country, the guerrilla later initiated operations, trying to black mail the local power company, and farm owners, later, the paramilitaries began operations. The Antioquian and national government sent security forces into the area in force to crush the paramilitary that once controlled the area. By 2006, the remaining military
and police
presence has diminished drastically. With no paramilitary activity remaining in the area, the national police presence is now only necessary to ensure that they do not return.
New resorts, several restaurants, and rental homes along the lake are available for visitors. Each building has tiles along the facade's lower walls in bright colors and dimensioned images. Many of the tiles are tied to the products sold by the shops, or the beliefs of the residents. Others are cultural images of the farming heritage of the community.
Also you can visit two monasteries, that belong to the "Benedictinos" Communities. The monks are devoted to receive and share with visitors.
There are many Ferries available, to take tours around the dam, a visit islands as "The Fantasy Island Hotel", located at 3 NM, north of Guatape shore. There are many water extreme and tradicional sports available.
Currently there is a project of constructing an ultralight airport.
Municipio
Municipio and Município are terms used for country subdivisions. They are often translated as municipality.-Overview:...
in Antioquia Department
Antioquia Department
Antioquia is one of the 32 departments of Colombia, located in the central northwestern part of Colombia with a narrow section that borders the Caribbean Sea. Most of its territory is mountainous with some valleys, much of which is part of the Andes mountain range...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Part of the subregion of Eastern Antioquia
Eastern Antioquia
Eastern Antioquia is subregion of the Colombian Department of Antioquia. The region is conformed by 23 municipalities.-Geography:...
. Guatapé is located in the outskirts of Medellín
Medellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
, bordering a reservoir created by the Colombian government for a hydro-electric dam, built in the late 1960s. This quaint town is the gathering place for "Las Vegas", or the small farms of the area. It is also a growing area of recreation for citizens of Medellín, and aims to be a tourist destination for foreign travellers.
Guatapé was founded in 1811, by the spaniard Don Francisco Giraldo y Jimenez. The name "Guatapé", comes from the Quechua
Quechua languages
Quechua is a Native South American language family and dialect cluster spoken primarily in the Andes of South America, derived from an original common ancestor language, Proto-Quechua. It is the most widely spoken language family of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, with a total of probably...
language, related to "stones and water". The area was visited by the conquistadors circa 1551.
On the late 20th century, Guatapé became one of the most important electric production centers in the country, the guerrilla later initiated operations, trying to black mail the local power company, and farm owners, later, the paramilitaries began operations. The Antioquian and national government sent security forces into the area in force to crush the paramilitary that once controlled the area. By 2006, the remaining military
Military of Colombia
The Military Forces of Colombia are the armed forces of the Republic of Colombia.-Services:The Military of Colombia consists of:* National Army of Colombia * Colombian National Armada - Marines, Navy and Coast Guard attached* Colombian Air Force...
and police
Colombian National Police
The National Police of Colombia is the national police force of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military of Colombia , it constitutes along with them the "Public Force" and is also controlled by the Ministry of Defense. They are the largest police force in Colombia...
presence has diminished drastically. With no paramilitary activity remaining in the area, the national police presence is now only necessary to ensure that they do not return.
New resorts, several restaurants, and rental homes along the lake are available for visitors. Each building has tiles along the facade's lower walls in bright colors and dimensioned images. Many of the tiles are tied to the products sold by the shops, or the beliefs of the residents. Others are cultural images of the farming heritage of the community.
La Piedra
The "Guatape Rock" (Peñón de Guatapé) that borders the lake is a rock formation, that formed along the Antioquia Rock Base (batolito de antioquia), 70 million years ago. With 2/3 of its height below ground, the exposed vertical face is over 200 meters high and visible from throughout the surrounding countryside. Visitors can scale the rock via a staircase built into one side, a path that includes more than 644 steps to the top. On the flat top of the rock, a restaurant offers outdoor tables overlooking vistas that stretch to the horizon in every direction. Above the restaurants are two gift shops, and an open-air viewing area to see the spectacular scenery.Also you can visit two monasteries, that belong to the "Benedictinos" Communities. The monks are devoted to receive and share with visitors.
There are many Ferries available, to take tours around the dam, a visit islands as "The Fantasy Island Hotel", located at 3 NM, north of Guatape shore. There are many water extreme and tradicional sports available.
Currently there is a project of constructing an ultralight airport.