Medellín: Comuna 13, The Escalator Intervention
Climb through the neighborhood that wrote its story in murals — from the darkest chapter of Operation Orion to one of the most vibrant open-air galleries in Latin America.
4.42|90 minutes|2 km|7 Stops
Start
San Javier Metro Station
1
San Javier Metro Station
The western terminus of Medellín's Metro Line B, and the starting point where social urbanism becomes tangible.
2
Escalator Entrance — Lower Station
The base of the world's first outdoor public escalators, built in 2011 to replace a grueling 35-minute stair climb.
3
First Mural Cluster — Operation Orion Memory
Murals commemorating Operation Orion, the 2002 military operation that left deep scars on this community.
4
Mid-Escalator Viewpoint
A panoramic pause point where the geography of inequality becomes visible across the Aburrá Valley.
5
Hip-Hop Performance Area
The open-air stage where Comuna 13's hip-hop movement — born as resistance to violence — comes alive daily.
6
Upper Mural Zone — Transformation Art
The densest concentration of murals, where themes shift from memory and grief toward hope, identity, and renewal.
7
Top of Escalators — Community Viewpoint
The summit of the escalator route, offering a full panorama of the Aburrá Valley and a moment to reflect on the journey.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings between 8:00 and 10:00 AM offer the best combination of cooler temperatures, active community life, and fewer tour groups. The escalators operate from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Avoid Sundays when the area can become extremely crowded with domestic tourists.
Pro Tips
- •Book a tour with Casa Kolacho or another community-run organization rather than an external operator — more money stays in the neighborhood and the guides have lived experience
- •Bring water and wear comfortable shoes with good grip — the streets between escalator sections are steep and can be slippery when wet
- •Ask before photographing residents, especially elderly people and children. The murals are fair game, the people are not
- •Try the mango biche (green mango with salt and lime) from the vendors along the escalators — it's a signature local snack
- •If you want to support the community financially, buy art directly from the artists painting along the route rather than from souvenir shops at the bottom
Safety & Precautions
- Stay on the main escalator route and surrounding streets. Side alleys higher on the hillside are residential and not part of the tour area
- Keep phones and cameras close to your body. Petty theft can occur, particularly in crowded areas around the escalators
- Do not take photos of or near any individual who asks you not to — some residents have personal safety concerns related to the conflict
- Avoid visiting after dark. The escalators close at 8:00 PM and the area is not well-lit for tourists at night
- Be mindful that this is a neighborhood with real trauma. Loud, celebratory selfie behavior at memorial murals is deeply disrespectful
Gallery
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