As de Copas

Among the urban landscapes of the city of Barrancabermeja stands a structure that cannot be confused with anything else. "As de Copas" is a famous water tower (tanque elevado) that has become a true icon of the city. It owes its name, which translates as "Ace of Cups," to its unique shape, resembling a giant goblet or cup from a deck of cards.

Located in Colombia, this structure is a striking example of how a strictly utilitarian object of industrial infrastructure can turn into a beloved landmark. Built to provide water to oil workers' residential areas, the tower is perceived today as a monument to the industrial era and a symbol of the region's prosperity.

For locals, "As de Copas" serves as an important landmark and meeting point.

Since "As de Copas" is a publicly accessible urban monument and infrastructure facility, it does not have a separate administration or ticket office. You can find this attraction at the following address:

The main thing to do at "As de Copas" is, of course, take a photo. Thanks to its unusual shape and height, the tower looks great in the frame, especially in clear weather against a blue sky. Try to find an interesting angle looking up from below to emphasize the monumentality of the "cup."

Visitors can walk around the structure, examining the details of the construction. This is a great opportunity to see up close an object of industrial architecture from the middle of the last century, which still looks impressive. Pay attention to the supports and the reservoir itself—they testify to the engineering ingenuity of that time.

In addition, a visit to the tower can be used as a starting point for exploring the surrounding area. A walk through the nearby streets will allow you to see the typical architecture of residential blocks built for oil industry workers and feel the rhythm of life in a non-tourist part of the city.

Getting to "As de Copas" in Barrancabermeja is quite simple, as this object is a famous landmark in the city. The easiest way is to use the services of an official yellow taxi. It is enough to tell the driver the name of the attraction or indicate the area where it is located—locals know this "goblet" very well.

If you prefer to travel on your own or on foot, orient yourself by the central streets. The tower is located near the intersection of Carrera 28 and Calle 43. The city also has a developed network of motorcycle taxis, which can quickly take you to the foot of the monument from almost anywhere in the central part of the city.

The history of "As de Copas" is inextricably linked to the development of the oil industry in the region. This structure was erected as a functional water tower to provide water to residential areas built for oil company employees (at that time, the Tropical Oil Company, the predecessor of Ecopetrol). It was the oil workers who laid the foundation for the modern infrastructure of the city, and this tank became an important part of the water supply system.

The structure received its unusual name, which translates as "Ace of Cups", thanks to its characteristic shape, resembling a chalice or cup from a Spanish deck of playing cards. Engineers designed the reservoir this way not for aesthetics, but to create the necessary water pressure; however, the visual effect proved so strong that the technical object turned into a popular symbol.

Over time, as the urban water supply system was modernized, the tower lost its exclusive strategic importance but retained the status of a historical monument. Today, it serves as a reminder of the period of rapid growth of Colombia's "oil capital" and remains a recognizable silhouette against the Barrancabermeja sky.

You won't need much time to get acquainted with "As de Copas." Since it is a street monument, most tourists spend from 15 to 30 minutes visiting it. This is quite enough to walk around the structure, appreciate its scale, and take a few memorable photos.

If you plan to just take a look at the tower on the way to other attractions, this can be done in literally a couple of minutes. However, if you want to soak up the atmosphere of the old oil district, you can stay longer by walking through the surrounding streets.

Since "As de Copas" is an architectural monument located open-air in a public space, access to it is open around the clock. You can come here at any convenient time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

However, for the best experience and high-quality photos, it is recommended to visit the attraction during daylight hours. In the evening, the area may be less illuminated, which will make a detailed inspection of the structure difficult.

Visiting "As de Copas" will not take much time, so it is worth combining it with a visit to other interesting places nearby. The area is conducive to walking: here you can find both green zones for relaxation and other monuments telling about the history and culture of the region.