Showcase April: collection of colorful photos from Guatape

Hey guys,

this is my contribution to the Showcase April Initiative the purpose of which is to share the best posts you have ever created on Steem.

I just compiled a photo collection with some of my best photos taken in Guatape, Colombia that I have featured in my posts here on Steem. Below, you will also find some information about this wonderful town.

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Located just some 50 km (30 mi) east of Medellin in the Antioquia Department, Guatape is a little town that is home to approximately 6,500 people. Founded by the Spaniards in 1811, the town used to rely almost exclusively on agriculture and mining but these days, there is another industry that makes up an important part of local economy - tourism. Why would tourists want to travel to a little sleepy town found on Medellin´s outskirts? Well, because Guatape is officially considered the most colorful town in Colombia and I am sure it also must be one of the most colorful towns in the world.

Besides the strikingly vivid colors that most Guatape houses are painted with, there is another thing that made the town so unique and popular with tourists. The houses´ lower (and sometimes even upper) facades are decorated with tiles and beautiful dimensioned images. These fresco-like panels are known as zocalos and their motifs are usually tied to what is produced and/or sold in the houses or to the history, culture, traditions and beliefs of the locals.

I hope you enjoyed this special photo collection.