Museo La Tertulia

On the picturesque riverbank in the heart of Cali lies one of the region's key cultural landmarks. **La Tertulia Museum** proudly represents Colombia on the world map of modern art, serving not just as an exhibition space but as a vital hub for creative dialogue.

La Tertulia Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The institution's unusual name is inspired by the Spanish tradition of "tertulias" — informal gatherings of intellectuals to discuss literature and art. Today, this complex brings together modern galleries, a unique open-air sculpture garden, and its own cinema, creating a unified ecosystem for inspiration and relaxation.

To plan your visit and check current exhibitions, you can contact the museum administration directly. The official website regularly updates information on events, helping guests plan their cultural itinerary in advance. Below are the main contact details for communication and navigation.

Inside the museum's galleries, guests will encounter a rich collection of contemporary art, where paintings by renowned Colombian masters sit alongside works by international artists. The permanent collection is regularly supplemented by temporary exhibitions, which often focus on the most relevant and bold trends in painting, graphics, and installations.

A walk through the **sculpture garden**, where artworks are harmoniously integrated into the landscape, is a particular delight. For those who want to dive deeper into the context, workshops and lectures are frequently held here. Additionally, La Tertulia attracts film buffs with its intimate cinema hall, which screens rare arthouse films, documentaries, and retrospectives of world cinema classics.

The location in the prestigious and picturesque neighborhood of Normandia makes the journey to the museum a pleasant part of the trip. If you are in the city center, the most convenient way to get here is by taxi — a ride along the embankment takes just a few minutes. For those who prefer public transport, city bus routes pass nearby, connecting the riverbank with key points across the city.

Walking enthusiasts will enjoy the route along the riverbed. La Tertulia Museum is often included in walking tours of Cali, as it is surrounded by cozy park areas and colorful colonial streets where it's pleasant to spend time before or after visiting the exhibitions.

The history of this iconic venue began on March 9, 1956, in the historic district of San Antonio. At that time, the city was in dire need of a space for creative expression, and an initiative group led by journalist Alfonso Bonilla Aragón rented a private house to host meetings. This was the birth of a community aimed at developing and popularizing modern art.

During its first twelve years, the museum operated in an unusual, almost domestic format: in the first half of the day, a school functioned in the building, and in the afternoon, the rooms transformed into exhibition halls and discussion platforms. This atmosphere of a "tertulia" — an informal friendly gathering — gave the future cultural giant its name.

A turning point came in 1968, when a specialized building was constructed for the museum on the riverbank at a site known as El Charco del Burro. The new architecture allowed for a significant expansion of the collection and solidified the institution's status as the first museum of modern art in the city and one of the most influential in the entire country.

To see the main collections and temporary exhibitions without rushing, visitors usually need about **2 to 3 hours**. This is enough time for a thoughtful exploration of the exhibits in the halls and a break in the shaded sculpture garden.

If you plan to attend a screening at the local cinema or stay for one of the educational lectures, it's worth setting aside **half a day** for your visit. The museum's tranquil atmosphere and the opportunity to combine cultural enlightenment with an outdoor stroll make it conducive to a longer stay.

The museum can be visited any day of the week except Monday, which is its day off. On weekdays and Saturdays, the doors open in the morning, while on Sundays, the exhibitions are available for viewing in the afternoon.

Operating hours by day of the week:

• Tuesday: 10:00 – 18:00
• Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 19:00
• Sunday: 14:00 – 18:00
• Monday: Closed

Exploring the river surroundings and adjacent blocks can significantly enrich your travel experience. After quietly contemplating the paintings in the galleries, many tourists prefer to switch to a more active or entertaining setting in the nearby parks.

Within a few kilometers of the museum, there are several interesting locations for family vacations and sports activities: