The Artisan Route – Craft and village Tour San Nicolas Valley
An unforgettable trip to the municipalities, located in the San Nicolas Valley - East Antioquia Department, expressing the history, tradition and the cultural idiosyncrasy of the people, knowing this way the production processes of high quality furniture and ceramics.
We visit the municipality El Retiro, which stands out in the region for the beautiful colonial and republican architecture. Here, the landowner Javiera Londoño freed the first slaves in Colombia in 1756 through her will. El Retiro smells of wood, a place where for 80 years carpentry has been a very important part of the economy. Currently there are more than 85 carpentry and cabinetmaking shops that make the municipality famous in the Antioquian context for the quality and variety of wooden furniture and knick-knacks.
The village of Carmen de Viboral is famous throughout Colombia for its high quality ceramics. During a visit to a traditional family business, we will learn the process of making pots and other vessels.
TRIP ITINERARY
Morning: Visit Municipality El Retiro - the cradle liberty and its wood industry
Recommended Departure from Medellin at 8am to the municipality el Retiro.
Visit the municipality of el Retiro, tour through the colonial village, local furniture store, visit historic museum, cultural center Javier Londoño and coffee shop. At about 11:30am it is time to leave the Retiro and we embark on a one-hour drive through the beautiful green landscape of the San Nicolas Valley to the village of Carmen de Viboral.
Afternoon: El Carmen de Viboral - Village of finest ceramics
Arriving at the Carmen, we will have our lunch (not included) and then take a look at the village square before visiting the ceramic family business.
We will learn the complete process from clay to ceramic vessel during a guided tour.
At around 4.30 pm leaving Carmen, way back to Medellin of approx. 1 hour.