PIEDRA DEL PEÑOL (PEÑÓN DE GUATAPÉ)
Piedra del Penol, classified as a National Monument and one of the main tourist attractions of the city
One of the town's main tourist attractions is the Peñón de Guatapé, also known as the Piedra del Peñol, a National Monument. This enormous 220-metre monolith, appearing out of nowhere, was revered by the Tahami people who once lived in the area. The boulder, composed of feldspar, mica and quartz, was first climbed in 1954 by Don Luis Eduardo Villegas Lopez, who became its proud owner on that occasion... The ascent took five days, with the help of sturdy wooden trunks wedged into the rocky fissures. Today, a 649-step staircase in the middle of the rock leads to the summit. After a few more steps, you reach the mirador, for an even more breathtaking panoramic view of the lake! Climbing enthusiasts can put on their climbing shoes: some forty well-equipped routes await them. The granite slabs offer a grippy climbing experience. The routes are located around the curious inscription "GI", painted in large white letters on the black rock. In fact, it's the beginning of the word Guatapé, which some villagers wanted to inscribe, in dispute with the inhabitants of El Peñol over ownership of "La Pierre". In November 2023, the rock suffered a landslide that injured 17 people. Since then, the tourist site has been closed to the public indefinitely until the authorities assess and rule out any further detachment.