Iglesia Jesús Nazareno: A Beautiful Church in Medellín

Iglesia Jesús Nazareno (Jesus of Nazareth Church) is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Medellín. Unfortunately this church is not found in any of the 10 English language travel guidebooks I have, which is surprising. But it’s worth seeing this very distinctive church.

In addition, we included Iglesia Jesús Nazareno in our list of the top 14 churches in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.

Note, the above photo of Iglesia Jesús Nazareno is by SajoR.

The central nave in Iglesia Jesús Nazareno

History of Iglesia Jesús Nazareno and ¨Street of the Dead¨

Iglesia Jesús Nazareno was reportedly built by Claretian missionaries in the twentieth century from 1941 and 1953. This beautiful church is part of the religious heritage of the city of Medellín.

Along the front side of the church is Avenida Juan del Corral, which is also known as “Calle de Los Muertos” (Street of the Dead). Due to a majority of the funerals in the city of Medellín being held along this street, the street received its nickname.

One of the funeral parlors along Calle de Los Muertos

Another of the funeral parlors

On this street between Iglesia Jesús Nazareno and the Prado metro station are over 20 funeral parlors. The first funeral parlor in the area reportedly opened in 1940.

Funeral services at Iglesia Jesús Nazareno

Also, some funeral services are held in Iglesia Jesús Nazareno.  In addition, three blocks north from the church is the San Vicente De Paul Hospital, which is part of the Universidad de Antioquia (Antioquia University). This  is one of the largest hospitals in Medellín. According to news reports, some of the funeral parlors in the area have even solicited customers like vultures from the families with deaths at the hospital.

Inside the church

One of the altars inside Iglesia Jesús Nazareno

Inside Iglesia Jesús Nazareno

Inside this church you will find a beautiful interior that is white with some gold trim. Also, there are many pieces of religious artwork to be found in this church. Furthermore, the church has many impressive stained-glass windows.

One of several stained-glass windows inside Iglesia Jesús Nazareno

Another of the stained-glass windows

Another of the stained-glass windows in the church

One of several pieces of religious artwork in the church

Confessionals in the church

Similar to many other churches in the city, Iglesia Jesús Nazareno has confessionals that are found along the right and left aisles in the church.

Another altar inside the church

How to Get to Iglesia Jesús Nazareno

Iglesia Jesús Nazareno is conveniently located about three blocks from the Prado metro station on Line A. In addition, the walk from the metro station to the church has several funeral parlors and small shops along the way.

Furthermore, using taxis is an alternative way to get to this church. You can ask any taxi driver to take you to “Iglesia Jesús Nazareno en el Centro cerca estacion Prado”. Most drivers in the city will know where it is or at least know where the Prado metro station is located, with the church nearby.

Address: Carrera 52 # 61-30, El Centro

Phone: +57 4 263 0333

Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 11:30 am, 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm; Saturday: 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

The Beautiful Churches in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley

In the metropolitan Medellín metro area (Aburrá Valley), there are over 300 Roman Catholic churches. Most notably, there is a complete list of all the churches of the Archdiocese of Medellín.

We have looked at a total of 33 beautiful churches in the Medellín metro area and the Aburrá Valley in a series on this website. And 22 of the churches we have looked at in detail are in Medellín:

1. Catedral Basílica Metropolitana – the main church of the Archdiocese of Medellín and the largest church in the city.
2. Iglesia de La Candelaria – the oldest church in Medellín, which is also a National Monument of Colombia.
3. Iglesia San Antonio and Plaza San Antonio – the church with the largest dome in Medellín located next to Plaza San Antonio with four Fernando Botero sculptures.
4. Iglesia Jesús Nazareno – another of the most beautiful churches in Medellín.
5. Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro – a beautiful Gothic-style church in Medellín.
6. Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús – a neo-Gothic-style church located in Barrio Triste in Medellín.
7. Iglesia de San José – a Boroque-style church located in El Centro, Medellín.
8. Iglesia del Señor de las Misericordias – a neo-Gothic-style church located in the Manrique neighborhood of Medellín.
9. Iglesia San José – a Romanesque-style church located next to Parque Poblado in El Poblado.
10. Iglesia de la Veracruz – a colonial church with a history that goes back to 1682, which makes it one of the oldest churches in Medellín.
11. Iglesia de San Ignacio – a beautiful church in El Centro with a Baroque-style exterior and colonial interior.
12. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora – a Roman-style church located next to Parque Belén in Medellín.
13. Iglesia el Calvario – a Romanesque-style church in the Aranjuez comuna in Medellín.
14. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Sufragio – a neo-Romanesque-style church in the Boston barrio in Medellín.
15. Iglesia de San Benito – a neo-Romanesque-style church with a history that traces back to 1678, which make it one of the oldest churches in Medellín.
16. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores – a Neo-Byzantine-style church in the La América comuna in Medellín.
17. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón – a beautiful Neo-Gothic-style church in the Buenos Aires comuna in Medellín.
18. Iglesia de Cristo Rey – a beautiful church in the Guayabal comuna of Medellín with many beautiful stained-glass windows.
19. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores – a beautiful Neoclassical-style church in the Robledo comuna of Medellín, which is also a National Monument of Colombia.
20. Iglesia del Cementerio San Pedro – a beautiful church built in 1929 that has some of the most beautiful stained-glass windows found in the churches in Medellín.
21. Iglesia de El Niño Jesús de Praga – a beautiful church in the Villa Hermosa comuna in Medellín.
22. Iglesia San Joaquín – a beautiful church in the Laureles-Estadio comuna in Medellín that is reportedly the second largest church in Medellín.

Also, we have looked at the principal church in each of the other nine municipalities in the Aburrá Valley:

1. Iglesia de Santa Gertrudis – a beautiful church in Envigado located next to Parque Envigado.
2. Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario – a church located in Bello that is arguably the most beautiful church in the Aburrá Valley
3. Iglesia de Santa Ana – a very popular church in Sabaneta located next to Parque Sabaneta.
4. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario – a historic church in Itagüí near Medellín with a history that traces back to 1743.
5. Nuestra Señora Chiquinquirá – a beautiful church in La Estrella with a Neo-Gothic-style.
6. Catedral Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes – a Neoclassical-style church with a history that traces back to 1793 and is located in the Caldas municipality south of Medellín.
7. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción – a Baroque-style church with a history that traces back to 1715 and is located in the Copacabana municipality north of Medellín.
8. Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Rosario – a Neo-Romanesque-style church located in the Girardota municipality northeast of Medellín.
9. Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua – a Neo-Romanesque-style church located in the Barbosa municipality northeast of Medellín.

Also, we looked at two smaller colonial-style churches while looking in detail at two nearby larger churches:

1. Hato Viejo Chapel – a colonial-style church in Bello built between 1772 and 1796. It’s also a National Monument of Colombia. We looked at Hato Viejo Chapel while covering Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
2. Capilla de María Auxiliadora – a colonial-style church in Barbosa built between 1773 and 1776. We looked at Capilla de María Auxiliadora while covering Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua.

In addition, we looked at Las Lajas Sanctuary located in Ipiales, Colombia, which is considered the most beautiful church in Colombia. Also, it’s considered by many to be one of the most beautiful churches in the world.

Iglesia Jesús Nazareno, photo by SajoR

The Bottom Line: Iglesia Jesús Nazareno

Iglesia Jesús Nazareno is one of the most distinctive buildings in Medellín and it´s also one of the most beautiful churches in the city. You definitely notice this church when going by in a metro train on Line A.

Most noteworthy, this church isn´t found in any of 10 English language Colombia travel guidebooks I have. But it’s worth seeing this beautiful church.

Unfortunately, in my experience, most travel guidebooks in English about Colombia are missing many of the best places in the cities and pueblos in Colombia.

Consequently, we have covered the beautiful churches in the Medellín metro area in a comprehensive series on this website. Most noteworthy, we did this since a majority of the beautiful and notable churches in the city are missing from the English-language travel guidebooks about Colombia.

Sign up for the Free Medellin Guru Newsletter – You can see all of the previous Medellin Guru weekly email newsletters and sign up here.