The Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe is the striking black-and-gray checkerboard building on the edge of Plaza Botero in downtown Medellín. Designed by Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts in the 1920s as the seat of Antioquia's government, it's now the home of the department's culture institute, with exhibitions and public spaces you can usually visit for free.
What it's like
You can't miss it. The Palacio de la Cultura is wrapped in bands of dark and light stone that give the whole building a checkerboard look, topped with pointed arches, turrets and a dome. It looks more like something from a Gothic fairy tale than a government office, and it's a favorite backdrop for photos from Plaza Botero and from the elevated metro, which runs right past it.
Inside, the mood is calmer. The building holds the offices of the Instituto de Cultura y Patrimonio de Antioquia, Antioquia's culture and heritage institute, along with exhibition rooms, archives and public spaces. Exhibitions change through the year, so what you'll see depends on the season.
A building that was never finished
Agustín Goovaerts, a Belgian architect who shaped several of Medellín's landmarks, started work on the palace around 1920. It was meant to house the government of Antioquia. Money ran short after the 1929 crash, Goovaerts went back to Belgium, and the project dragged on for decades under other builders. The facades on two streets were only completed in 1970, and the building you see today is just a fraction of the original design.
The government moved out to the La Alpujarra administrative center in 1987, and the building was given over to culture and renamed after Rafael Uribe Uribe, a 19th-century political leader. It was declared a National Monument in 1982.
Visiting
The institute's published hours have been Monday to Saturday, from about 8 am to 4:30 pm, closed Sundays, and travel guides consistently describe entry as free, with a quick registration at the door. Hours can change for events, so check with the institute before you go.
One thing to know for 2026: in July 2026, Antioquia's governor announced that Colombia's president-elect would work from the building when in Medellín. It isn't clear yet how that affects public visits, so confirm access before making a special trip.
Getting there
Take metro Line A to Parque Berrío; the palace is across the street from the station. Combine it with the Museo de Antioquia on the other side of the plaza.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside the Palacio de la Cultura?
Usually, yes. It's a public cultural center with exhibitions, and guides describe entry as free. Check current access, as the building's use changed in 2026.
Why is it black and white?
Goovaerts designed it in a Gothic Revival style with alternating bands of dark and light stone, which creates the checkerboard pattern.
Is it open on Sundays?
No. The institute lists it as closed to the public on Sundays.
Who designed it?
The Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts, starting around 1920.
