Travel Guide Salamina

Located in the north of the department of Caldas, at an altitude of 1,775 meters, Salamina was founded in 1825. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Colombia and was declared a National Monument in 1982. Its inhabitants, many of whom work in the coffee industry, have preserved the architecture of traditional houses, made of adobe and clay tiles. The balconies, doors and colored awnings are the legacy of the cabinetmaker Eliseo Tangarife who, in the mid-19th century, started a school of woodworking. Its narrow streets, fountains and flowered patios are full of charm, while the surrounding area offers a glimpse of the peasant world and coffee plantations. In the territory of San Felix, in the heights of Salamina, there is La Samara, a magnificent forest of wax palms, the national tree. The village is quite lively, but even more so at the beginning of December, when the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, patron saint of the village, is celebrated with the Noche del Fuego (Night of the Fire). The streets are filled with lanterns and the residents participate in lighting contests.