Jericó, Antioquia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jericó
Municipality and town
Flag Seal
Location of the municipality and town of Jericó in the Antioquia Department of Colombia
Jericó Location in Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Antioquia Department
Subregion	Southwestern
Area
• Municipality and town	193 km2 (74.5 sq mi)
Elevation	1,910 m (6,266 ft)
Population  (2015)
• Municipality and town	12,103
• Urban	8,460
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Website	Official website: http://www.jerico-antioquia.gov.co/

Jericó is a town and municipality in Colombia. It is located in the Antioquia region. The town is also a Catholic bishopric, which means it is an important religious center.

Jericó is part of the Southwestern Antioquia area. It is about 104 kilometers (64.6 miles) away from Medellín, the capital city of the department. The town sits high up, about 1,910 meters (6,266 feet) above sea level.

Jericó's Story: A Town's Past

Jericó was founded a long time ago, on September 28, 1850. A pioneer named Santiago Santamaría started the town. It officially became a municipality in 1851.

For a short time, from 1908 to 1911, Jericó was even the capital of its own department. In 2013, Jericó received a special title. It became a Pueblo Patrimonio of Colombia. This means it is recognized as a heritage town, important for its history and culture.

Religion and Important Figures

Religion is a big part of Jericó's identity. The town has a large church called the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. This cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy. It is the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jericó. The diocese was created in 1915. The current cathedral was built in 1949 after the first one was damaged.

Jericó is also famous as the birthplace of Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena. She was a very important person who became a saint in 2013.

Notable People from Jericó

Many interesting people have come from Jericó. Some of them include:

• Héctor Abad Gómez
• Francisco Luis Lema
• Manuel Mejía Vallejo
• Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena
• Jesusita Vallejo
• José Restrepo Jaramillo

Places to Explore in Jericó

Jericó has many interesting places to visit and explore. These sites offer a mix of nature, culture, and history.

• Botanical Garden: A place to see many different kinds of plants.
• Cristo Salvador viewpoint: A spot where you can get amazing views of the town and surrounding area.
• Bomarzo cultural center: A hub for arts and culture.
• Cerro Las Nubes natural reserve and viewpoint: A natural area with beautiful views.
• Casa Museo de Santa Laura: A museum dedicated to Saint Laura.
• Centro de Historia: A center where you can learn about the town's history.
• Museo Antropologico y de Arte (MAJA): A museum focused on anthropology and art.
• Museo de Arte Religioso: A museum that displays religious art.

See also

In Spanish: Jericó (Antioquia) para niños