Las Independencias, Comuna 13

The place

Las Independencias is a lived-in hillside neighbourhood in western Medellín, within Comuna 13-San Javier. Its best-known route is Senderos de Conexión Independencias I: six paired outdoor escalator sections installed to make a punishing daily climb manageable.

This is not a purpose-built attraction. Homes, narrow passages, shops and everyday foot traffic surround the route. Treat it as a residential public space first.

The escalator route

Opened in December 2011, the escalators replaced more than 350 concrete steps on the steep slope. They were designed as mobility infrastructure for residents, including older people and those carrying shopping or travelling to work and school.

Ride or walk between the covered sections, then use the intermediate landings to look at the street art and the city below. The physical stairs remain important: they provide the alternative route when an escalator section is not operating.

Murals and memory

Murals cluster along the pedestrian corridors around the escalators. They form part of Comuna 13’s public language of memory, identity and cultural expression, rather than a fixed gallery collection. Walls are repainted, businesses change and the route continues to evolve.

A local guide can add context to particular works, but guided walks are optional. If exploring independently, keep to the main public route and do not treat doorways, homes or residents as photo backdrops. Ask before photographing people.

Getting there and moving around

Take Metro Line B to San Javier, its western terminus. From outside the station, integrated buses 221i and 225i run towards the escalator area. A walk from San Javier is uphill and takes roughly 20–25 minutes.

Wear shoes with grip. Even with the escalators, the route includes steep stairs, ramps and uneven pedestrian passages. Rain can make the hard surfaces slick.

Timing, access and respect

The streets and escalators are public and there is no admission charge. Weekday mornings are usually the clearest time to move through the route before larger tour groups arrive.

Important: maintenance is carried out in stages and can close individual escalator sections temporarily; use the adjacent stairs and follow staff directions. Keep escalator exits clear, do not block narrow passages for photos, and keep valuables secure in crowded areas.