Overview:

El Peñon de Guatape - Guatape is a popular tourist destination located in the Antioquia region of Colombia, South America. The town is an ideal getaway with its unique culture and scenery, and its stunning view of El Peñon de Guatape rock formation. This large monolithic rock formation offers an awe-inspiring view that will make anyone take a second look. El Peñon de Guatape is also home to many cultural activities, including the yearly traditional Tango dance festival in June and the local market every Sunday. The beautiful town is surrounded by lush green hills, rivers, and countryside. This region also serves as a gateway to the Andes mountains and many other destinations in South America. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Colombia
Prominent Features:

1. El Peñón de Guatapé, or simply El Peñon, is a large Rock formation located in the Antioquia province of Colombia. 2. Rising 656 feet (200 m) above the surrounding terrain, El Peñon is the centerpiece of the town of Guatapé, which is located on the edge of a large artificial lake. 3. Tourists can reach the top of the monolithic structure by climbing a wide winding staircase with steep steps that spiral up the side of the rock. 4. Once on the top, daring visitors can take in the phenomenal scenic view from the observation deck and buy souvenirs at the gift shop. 5. In addition to the rock and the lake, Guatapé is known for its colorful, zocalo-style buildings and its picturesque waterfront filled with brightly colored boats. 6. El Peñón de Guatapé has become an increasingly popular tourist attraction in recent years, due in part to its proximity to Medellin. This national monument of Colombia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

El Peñon de Guatape is a landmark shaped like a huge rock in the Colombian department of Antioquia. It is located near the city of Guatape and is a popular tourist attraction. The Peñon stands at a height of around 200 m (650 ft) and has an approximate circumference of 1 km (0.62 miles). The Peñon is said to have been formed 60 million years ago in the Cretaceous period by the eruption of a volcano. The Spanish arrived in this region in the 16th century and named a nearby village “Guatape”, in the honor of the locals who had befriended them. Eventually, in the 1970s, a hydropower dam was built that raised the water levels around and submerged many villages and homes. Today, the Peñon has 740 steps carved partly into the rock. These stairs lead to the top of the Peñon so that tourists can admire the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The top of the peak is also covered with vibrant landscapes of trees and flowers. Guatape is known for its colorful and unique paints known as sale e caustale (stone and clay paint). The inhabitants of this region have been using this type of paint for centuries and it is still a major industry to the town. Apart from the Peñon de Guatape, there are also several other sites with rock formations such as Las Estrellas and Piedra de Penol. In Piedra de Penol, the top of the rock is made of a single massive slab of granite that is around 1300 years old. All of these sites make Guatape an interesting and attractive tourist destination. You must visit one of these historical places in Colombia on your Colombia tour

Interesting facts:

1. El Peñon de Guatape is a giant monolithic granite rock located near Guatape in Colombia. It stands at an incredible height of 740 feet and overlooks the nearby town of Guatape. 2. The entire rock is covered in intricate murals and shapes that were created by the locals during the 1950’s. 3. A staircase formed from 649 limestone steps was built into the side of the rock, allowing people to climb to the summit. 4. The summit of the rock offers stunning views of the surrounding area, including the nearby Embalse Guatape reservoir. 5. Inside the rock is an 8-room chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. 6. There is a mysterious chamber located at the centre of the rock known as “The Lion’s Den”. It served as a hiding place for rebels during the civil wars of the 19th century. 7. On the eastern side of the rock is a museum that is dedicated to the rock’s history. 8. El Peñon de Guatape is believed to have mystical powers, and many locals believe that it has the power to cure physical and mental ailments. Visit one of the famous monuments of Colombia with your friends and family.