Pablo Emilio Escobar's family grave
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 it’s infancy, so it currently falls upon the intrepid traveler to track down sights of interest.
The Escobar family grave
The grave of the infamous and ruthless Medellin Cartel leader rests in an idyllic setting at Cemetario Jardins Montesacro in Itagui. He was shot and killed by police while trying to escape on the rooftop of a safe house on December 2, 1993.
Fernando Botero's depiction of Pablo Escobar's death
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 which 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.
Further Reading
Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden
I don’t know if you noticed, but on the other side of the church from the grave of Escobar is a snack shop, the only one I have ever seen in a cemetery. When I first visited him grave in 2007, it was inundated by tourists that day, my last visit was july of 09 and I was the only person there. The grave was not as well kept up as it used to be, there were far more flowers there back in 2007.
Hi Dan,
Interesting observation about the snack shop by Escobar’s grave. I don’t remember it, but I can see how as more time passes, fewer Colombians are concerned with the guy. Much better that they look ahead toward a prosperous, peaceful future.
Hi Dave,
Most people don’t notice it as the snack shop is on the other side of the church in the back. When I was at my former novia’s house in Manrique, I visited a few homes there and they still had photos of Escobar on the wall, almost like a shrine to him. Unfortunately the violence is getting worse again, when I left Medellin in August of 2009, it was no longer safe for me to visit Manrique, there were almost daily shootings in that area due to the drug gangs fighting for control of that barrio. But in spite of this, I still can’t wait to return to Medellin again this year for a month. I really have enjoyed your blog, brings back a lot of memories.
Pablo Escobar was the bigger capo in Medellin and the world. he was a good person because he helped to the poor people. he was called robin hood but he sometimes was bad person because the bad guys looking forward him to kill him. so he had to defend his life. he is a big symbol en Medellin because all the people wanted him and respect .i think that he was a good person but the violence damaged his life.
Having read several books about Escobar (and remembering that he was a dangerous guy and not someone who we shoukd in anyway look up to) I was nevertheless interested to visit his grave and did so 2 years ago.
He was a real hero to many in the local areas there. I talked to some of the locals and they loved him.
I think Pablo was a very generous person, those that did evil to him, he repaid them with an eye for an eye. I respect the man for his good doings, i think if columbia would have kept there hands clean and away from the American government everything would’ve all turnout better. Look at the war on drugs in the US, nothing has changed. in fact drugs are just more intelligent in the way they are smuggled into the US. The war on drugs is a war that has no end , just like the war on terror that that Clown e presisdent GW Bush declared, what an idiot. Until next time we speak Escobar family keep your head up.
Pablo Escobar was nothing but a criminal. he may have been generous with the poor people but just to get power. Colombia has its drugs and guns reputation because of this bastard. I don’t think he’s a hero, and many colombians think the way I do. This place may be interesting to tourists, but it’s got to be said he’s not important because of his courage and generosity with the lower class. You, the tourist, gotta know he was not a hero, he was one of the most wanted criminals in the entire world! i’m from Medellin, and I don’t feel proud knowing that there’s people who agree with what he’s done… Medellin is way too beautiful to have people like that as “heroes”.
Hola Paula,
Thanks for reading, and sharing your thoughts. I feel the same way you do. It was a tragic chapter in time for the city and Colombian people.
The controversial opinions on the don Pablo the boss of all is nothing but individual opinion about his life and the legacy he left behind,in such impoverished Medellin at the time ,most poor would embrace his generosity ,the respect ,love and affection bestowed even after his demise is a sign of gratitude for his contribution to the ordinary neglected man on the street of Medellin .though he was a brutal killer but remember he followed the principle of demand and supply without which no chain of prosperous production.