Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture
Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe

General information
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Location	Medellín, Colombia
Address	51st Avenue #52-03
Construction started	1925
Design and construction
Architect	Agustín Goovaerts

The Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture is a cool public building in Medellín, Colombia. It hosts many fun cultural events for the Department of Antioquia. You can enjoy concerts, talks, and art shows here. A Belgian architect named Agustín Goovaerts designed it in a Gothic Revival style. This means it looks a bit like old European castles and churches. The palace is named after Rafael Uribe Uribe, a famous general from Colombia.

This special building is a national monument and is open for everyone to visit for free! It's home to the Institute of Culture and Heritage of Antioquia. When you visit, you can explore old photos and documents, listen to music, read books in the library, and see amazing art. There's even a museum room dedicated to Rafael Uribe Uribe. The big dome inside the building is used as an auditorium where you can watch movies and enjoy performances.

Where is the Palace?
How the Palace Began
Building the Palace
A New Name and Purpose
Palace Design
Gallery
See also

Where is the Palace?

Pedestrians along the side of the palace.

The palace is in a busy part of Medellín called La Candelaria. It's right in the city center, so lots of people walk by every day. You'll find it close to many other interesting places. These include the Berrío Park station for the Medellín Metro, Botero Plaza with its famous sculptures, and Berrío Park. Also nearby are the Museum of Antioquia, Bolívar Park, and the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria.

How the Palace Began

Back in 1826, the main government office for Antioquia moved to Medellín. People soon realized they needed a proper building for the government. The first office was just an old house with a few rooms.

In 1920, General Pedro Nel Ospina, who was the Governor of Antioquia and later became the President of Colombia, asked for new buildings to be constructed in Medellín. The original plans for the palace were very grand, but the final building ended up being a bit simpler. The Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace was first the official home for the Antioquia government. It was known as "Calibío Palace." Its construction started in 1925 and finished in 1937. The Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts designed it in the Gothic Revival style.

Building the Palace

Building this large palace happened in a few steps over many years.

First Steps

Construction started in 1925. The first part built was at the corner of Calibío Street and Bolívar Street. This section was meant to hold the government's records and the local assembly. However, work had to stop in 1929 because of a money problem. The government didn't have enough funds, which delayed building for four years.

Second Steps

Depending on the sunlight, the white stones sometimes have a greenish hue.

After four years, building started again in 1932. This time, they built the eight-sided part of the building and the East Wing. They also added the stairs, hallways, and balconies facing Bolívar Street. An engineer named Jesús Mejía changed some of the plans for the balcony area.

Inside, you can see amazing art. There are bronze sculptures by Bernardo Vieco and a large painting called "The Liberation of Slaves" by Ignacio Gómez Jaramillo. The beautiful stained glass windows were made using an old technique by the Horace and Arturo Longas brothers. There's also a stunning central lamp.

Final Touches

In 1937, the government stopped using the palace because it wasn't finished. The unfinished parts were just closed off. Because of this, the government started planning to build a new office somewhere else.

Later, architects Gerardo Mejía, Gustavo Restrepo, and Gustavo Aristizabal were hired to finish the palace. They worked on the north side and brought back some of the original designs. Finally, in 1982, the palace was officially named a national monument.

A New Name and Purpose

Wide angle view of the terrace and balcony.

The government offices moved to a new building called La Alpujarra Administrative Center. Since the "Calibío Palace" was no longer the government's main office, it got a new name in 1987. It was renamed the "Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture" to honor the Colombian general Rafael Uribe Uribe. He was famous for fighting in the Thousand Days War.

Some people thought the palace should become a shopping center, like other old buildings in the city. Others even suggested tearing it down to build something new! But thankfully, the palace was saved. In 1986 and 1988, it was decided that the building would be used for cultural activities. It became the home of the "Directorate of Cultural Extension," which is now known as the Institute for Culture and Heritage of Antioquia.

Palace Design

The first plans for the palace were very ambitious. They included five floors with over 300 offices, a huge hall for the assembly, a library, and a museum. Not all of these ideas made it into the final building. The palace today has four floors, a central courtyard, and a rooftop area where you can look out over the city.

The big dome on top is a marvel of design! Its metal supports were brought all the way from Belgium in 1928. They were put together using a method similar to how early skyscrapers were built in New York. Workers would heat the nuts and bolts until they glowed red. As they cooled, they would tighten, making the structure very strong even without welding.