Comuna 13: Shaking Off the Past
From battleground to tourist destination, the people of Comuna 13 in Medellin tap the past to create a better future.
Rocks painted with messages written by families who live in barrio San Javier decorate the Comuna 13’s paths and green areas. “We hide absolutely nothing that has happened here, but we emphasize the interesting, beautiful and positive things that happen, because we are looking for a transformation,” Stuart said.
A view of Comuna 13 from an escalator that rises through the neighborhood. What we know today as la Comuna 13 used to be the center of battle between the FARC and ELN and is now enjoyed by tourists who visit on the “Graffitour”, an experience created with the purpose of showing how local artists see that story of violence.
