El Peñón de Guatapé

El Peñón de Guatapé (Spanish for "The Guatapé Rock"), wrongly called El Peñol Stone (Spanish La Piedra de El Peñol), is a monolithic formation located at the town and municipality of Guatapé, 1 km inside the city limits (86 km northeast of Medellín or 2 hours by bus) in Antioquia, Colombia. The stone rises from the bottom of the hydroelectric dam of Peñol-Guatapé. This monolith was spotted as a border landmark between country farms and the two cities.

At its highest part, on the rear (southeast side), it has an elevation of Шаблон:Convert over sea level. with an average temperature of Шаблон:Convert. The "Peñón" has Шаблон:Convert of rock mass and it is Шаблон:Convert long, with an approximate weight of Шаблон:Convert. It has some rock breaks, one of which was used for the construction of the 659 stairs that can be used to go to the top.

The wide Antioquian rock base, called "batlolito antioqueño", and the "Peñón" were formed 70 million years ago.

The Tahamies Indians, former inhabitants of this region, worshipped the rock and called it on their language "mojarrá" or "mujará" (rock or stone). This rock is located in the country area called "La Piedra", just 5 minutes from Guatapé Town, and can be reached by road.

On the northern face of the stone are there painted large white letters, "G", and an incomplete "U" (only the single vertical stroke was completed). Guatapé and El Peñol had long disputed ownership of the rock, and the residents of Guatapé decided to settle the matter by painting the town's name on the rock in huge white letters. It did not take long for the residents of El Peñol to notice the work, and a large mob was assembled to stop it. Only the "G" and part of the "U" were completed.

The rock was climbed on July 1954. History tells that it was climbed by a group of friends, at the invitation of a local priest. Luis Villegas, Pedro Nel Ramírez and Ramón Díaz climbed the rock in a five-day endeavour, using sticks that were fixed against the rock's wall.

A new species of plant was found on the top of the rock, subsequently named Pitcairma heterophila by a German scientist.

A viewing spot was built on top of the rock, where it is possible to acquire handicrafts, postcards, and other local goods. It is possible to see the 500 km shore-perimeter dam. There are 740 steps to the top of the viewing spot.

In the 1940s, the Colombian government declared it a "National Monument".

Guatapé Major Office

References

See also

Guatapé

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Endel Vazquez
17 February 2018
I never tought this place was so beatiful! It’s worthy visiting but be sure you are in good shape and condition if you want to climb the “peñol”
Didi UP
12 January 2016
So beautiful, wonderful view from the top of the stone. Better if u go up between 8:00 - 10:00 am - less people and not too hot
Stacy Bo Bacy
25 October 2019
A brick staircase of 659 steps rises up through a broad fissure in the side of the rock. Steps can be steep at some points, but so worth it for the beautiful view at the top!
Airton J. Payares B.
3 July 2017
A must see in Antioquia, the ticket is now 18000 pesos. The moto taxi to Guatapé costs 10000.
Sara María Castaño
27 December 2015
The entrance is now 15 mil. 650 to the top. There's lots of places to eat and the view is priceless.
Frank Eason
22 April 2014
Beautiful! Well worth the hike up the stairs. Take your time and be rewarded by the spectacular view.
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Guatapé # 99, Guatape, Antioquia, Colombia Get directions
Thu-Fri 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sun 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Mon 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tue 11:00 AM–4:00 PM

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