Jerico

Jerico sits at around two thousand metres in the coffee country south-west of Medellin, and it is one of the better-kept examples of Antioquian town architecture - two-storey houses with carved timber balconies, doors and window frames painted in strong contrasting colours, around a large plaza. Laura Montoya, who founded a missionary order working with indigenous communities, was born here and was canonised in 2013 as Colombia's first saint, which brings a steady pilgrimage. The carriel, the many-pocketed leather shoulder bag traditionally carried by Antioquian muleteers, is made here and the town claims it. A cable car climbs to a hill above with a botanical garden and a view over the Cauca valley.

History

The pioneer Santiago Santamaría founded Jericó on 28 September 1850, and it became a municipality in 1851. In a reorganisation of the country's territory in 1908 it was the capital of a department of the same name until 1911, and in 2013 it became the third town in Antioquia to be named a heritage town of Colombia (Wikipedia, Jericó, Antioquia).

Highlights

• Painted balconies and doorways - the Antioquian town style, well kept.
• A pilgrimage to Colombia's first saint - Laura Montoya, canonised 2013.
• Carriel workshops - making the traditional muleteer's leather bag.
• A cable car to the hill above - with a garden and valley view.

When to go

Year round; pilgrimage dates bring crowds. A full day.

Practical notes

Roads from Medellin are winding and take three hours or more. Pilgrimage periods fill the town. Weekends are busier than weekdays. Nights at two thousand metres are cool.

Nearby

Jardin is south; the Cauca valley is below.

Key facts