Every photo of Guatapé features them, but few visitors know what the zócalos actually are or where the tradition came from.
What a zócalo is
A zócalo is a raised, painted relief panel applied to the lower section of a building's facade -- typically in bold, saturated colors, depicting anything from farm animals and coffee harvests to religious imagery and the specific trade of the shop behind it. They sit like a decorative baseboard running along the base of the wall.
Where the tradition came from
The craft grew out of the work of local plasterers, builders, and artisans -- what Guatapé calls zocaleros -- rather than from any single formal art movement. One name in particular stands out in local history: José María Parra Jiménez, who's been called "El Hacedor de Zócalos" (The Maker of Zócalos) for nearly a century of work refining the craft.
What the imagery means
Many zócalos depict the products or services of the business behind them -- a bakery might feature bread and wheat, a fishing-focused restaurant might show tilapia and boats. Others draw on the farming and coffee heritage of the wider oriente antioqueño region, or carry religious symbolism tied to the town's Catholic traditions.
The church's zócalos specifically
The Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Guatapé's main church, has its own set of rhomboid zócalos on its facade representing the four evangelists -- an angel for Matthew, a lion for Mark, a bull for Luke, and an eagle for John -- a rare example of the tradition applied to religious rather than commercial subject matter.
Why it matters beyond decoration
The zócalos function as a kind of visual civic pride -- a "zocalización" effort by the local government has extended the style to public spaces and streets, and it's become such a defining feature of the town that Guatapé is sometimes referred to as the "Pueblo de Zócalos."
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See Guatapé Tours & Prices →Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'zócalo' mean in Guatapé?
It refers to the raised, painted relief panels along the base of building facades, a distinctive local folk-art tradition.
Do the zócalos have specific meanings?
Often yes -- many depict the trade or products of the business behind them, local farming heritage, or religious symbolism.
Who is credited with the zócalo tradition?
José María Parra Jiménez, known locally as 'El Hacedor de Zócalos,' is a key figure associated with refining the craft over decades.