Well known around the world for its coffee industry, Manizales stands out for its many universities (the city has the most in the country, only second to Bogotá). Its economic and industrial development granted it the Entrepreneurial Promotion Award in the V edition of the Ibero-American Digital Cities Award. It also won the Doing Business Colombia 2010 Award granted by the World Bank. This proves that it is better and easier to do business in Manizales.
Art, heritage and nature
There are many places you can visit in Manizales. Important museums such as the Gold Museum; and the Interactive Science, Games, and Technology Museum; the archeology, geology, art, and natural history museums, all show the city’s many cultural aspects.
The Our Lady of the Rosary Basilica Cathedral, built in 1939, is a one of a kind neo-gothic structure. Along with the Governor’s Office and the El Cable Building, they are some of the country’s heritage sites.
A connection to nature is of the essence for Manizales. The Chipre Observatory Park gives visitors the option to watch the stars through one of its telescopes. One can also wall climb, and see 10 of the Coffee Triangle’s municipalities from the top. Other important parks include Fundadores, and El Prado Popular Forest.
The city is also known as The Pearl of the Ruiz because of its proximity to the National Snow Capped Mountain Natural Park, where the Ruiz Mountain is located. The mountain rises 5.311 m above sea level and has snow year round on its peak.
Fairs and Festivals
One of the country’s emblematic fairs is the Manizales Fairs, which is national cultural heritage. It is held on the second week of January, and it is well known for its bull fighting, parades, exhibits, the International Coffee Pageant, and Caldas’ folklore expressed in pasodoble and requinto.
Every year Manizales is enveloped in art during the Manizales International Theatre Festival, where companies and troupes from around the world showcase their work. It is the oldest (1968) and one of the most important festivals in the continent. Additionally, Manizales Yells Rock is the third largest rock festival in the country and has had bands such as 1280 Almas, Death Angel, and Dub Killer Combo.
Learn more about Manizales and discover why when it comes to culture and tradition, Colombia land of #Sabrosura
