Transformation by Graffiti- Comuna 13, Medellin

Medellin, Colombia is comprised of different comuna’s or as they call them, neighborhoods. Comuna 13 is situated up in the mountains near the San Javier metro station. This is one of the most convenient locations in the city because it is close to one of the few roads leading over the valleys and out of the City. This comuna was highly valued by drug traffickers due to the location.

During my free walking tour, I learned about the conflict in Medellin around 2002. My guide from that tour stated Colombia has increased the number of visitors from 50,000 in 2000 to 5,000,000 in 2016. This is because of the total transformation of the city that occurred after the conflict. This City transformed from being one of the most dangerous places in the world to be one that is safe for travelers from all over the world.

Comuna 13 is evidence of this transformation. An example of the transformation is he public escalator to make the community more accessible (pictured below).

My Comuna 13 Graffiti tour lead me straight through the conflict the free walking tour spoke about in 2002. The FARC Gang took over Comuna 13 around 2000 because of the value of the road leading out of Medellin. The FARC ransacked the community through shootings, robberies, and forcing civilians to join the gang. Many civilians were killed during the “battle” between the military and gang because it was hard not to be identified as a gang member.

After the military took back Comuna 13 from the FARC in October 2002, the comuna was in need of a transformation. This transformation happened by Graffiti.

On both the free walking tour and the Comuna 13 Graffiti tour, the guides thanked us for visiting Medellin and their Comuna and said we were now a part of the community since we decided to come here. They were both very welcoming.

I was so glad I booked a tour because the background on the artists projects, their meaning, and the history of the Comuna were moving. Here is a photo of the 3 tour guides below. The man in the middle was the local tour guide from Comuna 13.

If there are two colors on the wall, that means it’s two different families. Roofs were even painted bright colors. It was a child’s idea to use brooms instead of brushes.

During the tour, we stopped for “ice cream”, which was really just frozen mango. Although it didn’t live up to it’s name, it was still delicious!

Due to the conflict and battle of 2002, many civilians died, including children. A part of the Comuna was transformed into a slide. It helps to remind the community it is okay to still be a child at heart and to never forget the children lost during the conflict.

During the “battle”, a grandmother lost her young grandson. She was so distraught she reached out her window during the gunfire between the military and FARC and began to wave a white flag. Other members of the community began to join her. The panda represents a child and is holding a white flag.

The artists made this community come alive with their graffiti. This was one of my favorite things I did in Medellin. Below are some more of my photos – check them out!