La Sierra neighborhood, located in Comuna 8 – Villa Hermosa, central east of Medellín, exemplifies how a community can resurface after facing adversity.
This community was formed over 50 years ago by peasants and farmers displaced by the armed conflict, settling on the slopes of a mountain near the urban center of one of the most violent cities in South America.
In the early 2000s, harassment by the National Liberation Army (ELN) led local youth to form paramilitary factions within the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, specifically the Metro and Cacique Nutibara blocs. The Metro Bloc initially expelled the guerrillas from La Sierra, but violence continued. A brief union of the two paramilitary groups brought temporary peace.
However, the truce ended when the Cacique Nutibara Bloc forced the Metro Bloc into a conflict over territory and drug trafficking, causing intense strife for residents. By late 2003, under Álvaro Uribe’s regime and with International Amnesty’s help, the Cacique Nutibara Bloc was demobilized. Despite this, the stigma of violence lingered in the community’s memory.
With the creation of the collective “La Sierra is Another Story,” a process began to erase that stigma through tourist tours showcasing the community’s resilience.
The Eusse family promoted a project to highlight that, just a few minutes from Medellín’s downtown, the best coffee in the city is produced. Casa Finca Barrio La Sierra is a cultural space that engages local youth and offers the opportunity to learn about the neighborhood’s history and coffee production, from seed to cup. This initiative aims to change the perception of La Sierra, showcasing it as a place of growth and community rather than violence.
Levit and Rosa, residents of the area, will guide you step by step through the coffee-making process, sharing the story of their family and the rebirth of this sector, which was once considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Medellín. Their tours include interactive experiences where visitors can participate in the coffee harvest, learn about sustainable farming practices, and taste different coffee products.
Visit their website for more details about all the activities that take place in this space: Urban Coffee Tour.
Contact us and we will take you on a journey full of stories, experiences, and the best coffee in Antioquia! We look forward to welcoming you! This unique experience not only highlights the exceptional coffee but also the resilience and transformation of the community, inviting visitors to be part of a positive change in La Sierra
