We provide a guide to Plaza Cisneros also known as Parque de las Luces or Park of Lights, which is a popular attraction in El Centro in Medellín with 300 light poles.
In an effort to rejuvenate this area to make it more attractive and more inviting to tourists, this plaza was renovated in 2005 to include the forest of 300 light poles, which are constructed with concrete and metal. And at night, the poles are impressively illuminated with several reflectors in each pole.
Some of the 300 light poles in Parque de las Luces during the day
History of Plaza Cisneros
Following the death of Cuban engineer Francisco Javier Cisneros in New York on July 7, 1898, the city of Medellín determined that the square in front of the Estación Medellín del Ferrocarril de Antioquia (Medellín’s railroad station) would be named Plaza de Cisneros or Plaza Cisneros. Cisneros headed up construction of the Antioquia railroad.
Plaza Cisneros used to the area where farmers and tradesmen from the region unloaded fruits, vegetables and other goods from trucks and where all types of goods were delivered to the city by train.
Also, from this square, products were distributed to smaller markets throughout the city. In addition, this square was one of the first things visitors saw when arriving by train.
After the bankruptcy of the Colombian railroad in the 1960s and the transfer of the markets in the square to the nearby Plaza Minorista market and the Mayorista market in Itagüí, Plaza Cisneros became an area with problems with thieves and drug addicts, particularly at night.
Plaza Cisneros in August 2005, photo by Guia de Viajes Oficial de Medellín
Renovation to Create Parque de las Luces
As part of a project to renovate downtown Medellín, a plan was established in 2002 to renovate Plaza Cisneros by the administration of former mayor Luis Pérez. The projects was called “Medellín es luz, un poem urbano” (“Medellín is Light, an urban poem”). Architect Juan Manuel Peláez’s project was selected. And the design was completed in 2003.
The winning proposal estimated that the project would cost 3,260 million pesos. However, the budget was inaccurate. If all the specifications of the initial proposal were met, the project was later estimated at around 12 billion pesos.
So, adjustments were made in the designs, materials and works, with the participation of the architect and the project ended up costing the sum of 9.165 million pesos.
The execution of the project was during the government of former mayor Sergio Fajardo. The city administration decided to proceed with the project but with modifications.
For example, the project proposed 360 towers, each 24 meters high with four meters of concrete base and 20 meters of metal structure. But only 300 towers were built. And the 20-meter metal tubes were reduced to 18 because the standard material comes in the size of 6 meters.
Also, the lighting in the proposal cost 1,800 million and was exchanged for very low consumption bulbs of energy and low costs. The original lighting proposal would have cost 16 million pesos monthly.
Finally, the new Plaza Cisneros was inaugurated in February 2005. In addition, the old market square had been completely demolished to make way for the new EPM Library inaugurated in June 2005. Also, the Vásquez and Carré buildings next to the plaza were fully restored. The plaza is known as Plaza Cisneros and also as Parque de las Luces.
Plaza Cisneros during the Medellín Marathon on September 16, 2018
Events at Plaza Cisneros
There are sometimes events held at this plaza. For example, on September 16, 2018, there was the large Maratón Medellín. This Medellín marathon included distances of 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km. And all these marathons started at Plaza Cisneros.
The 2018 Medellín Marathon started at Plaza Cisneros
On the day of the marathon, the plaza was full of people participating in the marathon. And there were a number of booths set up with beverages.
Plaza Cisneros during the 2018 Medellín Marathon
How to Get to Plaza Cisneros: Parque de las Luces
The easiest way to get to Plaza Cisneros (Parque de las Luces) is by using the Medellín metro. Plaza Cisneros is located about three blocks from the San Antonio metro station on Line A. Or it’s about four blocks from the Cisneros metro station on Line B.
The San Antonio metro station
From the San Antonio metro station, walk west two blocks and then south one block and you’ll see the sizable Plaza Cisneros.
In addition, you could take a taxi from anywhere in Medellín. All taxi drivers will know where Plaza Cisneros (Parque de las Luces) is located.
Biblioteca EPM (EPM Libarary)
Location: Plaza Cisneros is located on Calle 44 and is between the Biblioteca EPM (EPM Library) to the west and the Vásquez and Carré buildings to the east.
Also, directly north of this plaza is the huge El Hueco shopping area in El Centro with over 12,000 shops. And there are many small restaurants in the area and vendors selling coffee, juices, fruits and other snacks in the plaza during the day.
In addition, Plaza Cisneros is included in the Real City Walking tour, which is one of the 2 best walking tours in Medellín.
Edificio Vásquez at night, which is next to the plaza
Hours: open 24 hours per day, it’s normally fairly busy during the day with a police presence.
However, be very careful in this area after it’s dark. And it’s best to go with a group in the evening and to take a taxi. Also, at night this part of El Centro clears out and you will rarely see police.
Parks and Plazas in Medellín
On the Medellin Guru website, we have looked at 12 different parks and plazas in the Medellín and Aburra Valley area:
- Parque Arví – a very large nature reserve, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Medellín.
- Parque Lleras – the top nightlife district in Medellín.
- Piedras Blancas – an ecological park near Medellín worth visiting.
- Parque Sabaneta – arguably the nicest park in the Medelllín metro area.
- Plaza Botero – a popular outdoor plaza with 23 sculptures by Fernando Botero.
- Plaza Cisneros – Parque de las Luces, Medellín’s Park of Lights in El Centro.
- Jardín Botánico – the popular Medellín botanical gardens.
- Parques Del Río – Medellín’s ambitious River Parks project along the Medellín River with the first stage open.
- Plaza San Antonio – a large plaza with four Fernando Botero sculptures and sometime has concerts.
- Cerro el Volado – a huge park with incredible views of Medellín.
- Cerro Pan de Azucar – a park with amazing views of Medellín.
- Parque de los Deseos – a popular park in Zona Norte offering a wide variety of free cultural activities.
Plaza Cisneros – Parque de las Luces (Park of Lights) – in Medellín at night
The Bottom Line: Plaza Cisneros, Parque de las Luces
Plaza Cisneros is worth seeing, particularly at night but be careful at night. There is small shopping mall directly across from this plaza with a food court on the top floor. You could eat something there while waiting for the darkness to set, while also enjoying the view of the plaza.
In addition, this plaza is located directly south of the El Hueco shopping area in El Centro. So, you could combine a visit to El Hueco with a visit to this plaza.
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9 thoughts on “Plaza Cisneros: Parque de las Luces – Medellín’s Park of Lights in El Centro”
Is there a light show? Asking because I saw this at Burning Man: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bngu5sNhqZc/
Or are the lights static?
I have heard there can be a light show during special events. When I have seen them the lights are static.
Nice article. Wow. Jeff you are a jewel. We are blessed to have you.
My favorite sq km of the city incl the surrounding Teatro Metropolitano, the Shoeless Park, Plaza Mayor, Museo de Agua, Carabobo Street and the fabulous EPM Library. I met my Paisa wife when she was a librarian there.
Uber? Illegal, or not?
Thanks Jeff…
Thanks Jeff, looks like a nice place to visit during the days or with a group of friends at night. Looking at the pictures I noticed how clean even the metro station, streets, and park are. Nice to see a place where people take pride in their city!!
Yes, and the photos at night were taken last night after the big Medellín Marathon during the day. So, they completely cleaned up everything in a few hours before it got dark after the marathon ended and the people cleared out.
I visited this plaza while on a walking tour. The plaza is part of the transformation of the city of Medellin and is worth a visit. There are benches scattered around the plaza and vendors selling fruits and juices. It’s a nice place to people watch during the day but be very careful at night.
“However, be very careful in this area after it’s dark. And it’s best to go with a group in the evening and to take a taxi or Uber. Also, at night this part of El Centro clears out and you will rarely see police.”
That’s a big problem for a single traveler like me. I’d love to visit this area at night for the light display but at the expense of my personal safety? Absolutely not. Muggings, stabbings, pick-pockets and all sorts of nefarious people abound in this area after sunset or so I’m told. It’s a haven for predators. It’s a real shame too because if I did venture down there and became a victim of crime, I would likely be blamed by the locals for “giving papaya” no matter how careful or conscientious I was. An excellent write-up as always Jeff, but I’ll file this under a strictly daytime excursion.
Yes, it is not an area to go alone after dark as it clears out as seen in the night time photos in the article with almost nobody around.