Pablo Emilio Escobar’s grave is certainly a site of interest for those visiting Medellin though curiously it was not listed in Lonely Planet’s 2006 Colombia guidebook.
The tourism industry in Medellin and Colombia, in general, is still in its infancy, so it currently falls upon the intrepid traveler to track down sites of interest.
The grave of the infamous and ruthless Medellin Cartel leader rests in an idyllic setting at Cemetario Jardins Montesacro in Itagüí.
He was shot and killed by police while trying to escape on the rooftop of a safe house on December 2, 1993.
On one of Medellin’s typically beautiful, warm and sunny days, I took the metro to Itagui and asked a cab driver to take me to Pablo Escobar’s grave.
Along the way, though he spoke little English, the driver was able to communicate his father worked for Pablo Escobar and made a lot of money.
The cemetery looked pleasant, and the driver walked me to the Escobar family grave that was clearly well maintained. The Don is buried along with his parents and a few children.
A Colombian couple was there though I couldn’t tell if they were curious like me or paying their respects. Maybe both.
Pablo Escobar was something of a Robin Hood, using his drug money to build homes for the poor and employ them as well.
Judging from the uptake of his grave, complete with fresh flowers, he is still revered by some in the region.
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Pablo Escobar Historical Tour
To learn more about Escobar during your visit to Medellín, sign up for a half-day tour with Latin Hosts Medellín. Historical points of interest include the Monaco Building where the Cali Cartel tried to kill him, his last safe house where security forces did kill him and his family grave.
