Comuna 13

Only a week after taking our kids to stay in the Amazon jungle with the formerly most violent people group in the world, we took them to Medellin's Comuna 13.

I guess the theme for the week could be The (formerly) Worst Places in the World to Take Your Children. But instead, I see it as a beautiful redemption of people and places.

 Medellín is notorious for the 25 years it was known for being the most dangerous city on Earth. Comuna 13, a small community on the North end of the valley was the epicenter of the violence. 

During the height of the violence, an estimated 10,000 people per year were murdered. Police were not even allowed in this community!

In October 2002, a three day Civil war began when 1,500 officers arrived at Comuna 13 with two helicopters and a tank. Official reports state 300 people were killed, while those living in the barrio claim it was thousands.

The turnaround began in 2006 when the mayor began making large investments into the area. A cable car was built to connect Comuna 13 to other communities, schools, etc. which opened up job opportunities for those living in this community. Another investment included six sets of outdoor escalators that take you 1,260ft up the steep landscape. This saves residents a 25 minutes climb on the 350 stairs to enter or leave the community.

 Taking the escalators up to a fantastic view of the valley and an opportunity to purchase art in many forms from many local artists.

Today many of the young people who live here choose to express themselves thru art or music. Paintings along the streets represent the town's past, mostly depicting young women (many children here were raised by strong, single mothers) and birds- a symbol of hope.

This slide was built as a memorial to a young boy named Sergio Cespedes, who was killed by a gang's stray bullet while playing here. They wanted to encourage children to keep playing, choose happiness, and forgive.

While this barrio is safer than it used to be, one must still be careful to only visit certain areas and only during the daytime. I strongly recommend visiting with a guide. They know where to safely take you and will give you so much information about the area and its history. Below is some of our favorite street art.