The Secret of the 7 Corners: Hidden Laureles

The Myth of the Corners of 70 and 80

If you walk through Laureles on a Saturday at 4 in the afternoon, the sun hits the facades of the low houses just right. The neighborhood breathes a different rhythm than downtown: more relaxed, more terrace-like. But there is a secret that few tourists know and that even some locals have forgotten. Between Carrera 70 and Carrera 80, crossing Avenida Nutibara and Calle 33, there are seven corners that hold stories that no one talks about in travel guides. They are not the trendy bars or the Instagram restaurants. They are points where the neighborhood stopped in time, where longtime residents still remember the noise of the trams, the tango serenades, and the shops that disappeared.

In July 2026, Laureles remains one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Medellín. But its true wealth is not in the new buildings or the specialty coffee shops. It is in those seven corners that, if you know where to look, tell you the story of a city that grew between tradition and change. Here I will take you along that route, with exact names, real streets, and stories I gathered from neighbors who have lived here for over 40 years.

Oral History: Tales from Longtime Residents

Don Carlos, 78 years old, has lived on Calle 34 with Carrera 76 since Laureles was pastureland. He told me that in the 1950s, the corner of 70 with 33 was a bus stop for buses coming from downtown. "That's where the gatherings happened," he says. "On Saturdays, after work, people would sit on the sidewalks to listen to the radio. There was no television. Whoever had a radio was the king of the neighborhood."

Doña Marta, 82 years old, remembers the corner of Carrera 80 with Calle 34. For decades, the "Tienda La Esperanza" operated there, one of the first in the area. "They sold rice, panela, candles, even home remedies. The owner, Don Pedro, knew every customer's name. If you didn't have money, he'd give you credit. That's been lost."

Another neighbor, Jairo, 65 years old, talks about the corner of Calle 33 with Carrera 77. That's where the "Cine Laureles" was, which closed in the 80s. "It was the only cinema in the neighborhood. On Sundays, it would fill with families. The movies were Mexican, with Pedro Infante. Later, when it closed, everything became more lonely."

These stories are not in any book. They are the living memory of Laureles. And the seven corners I am going to show you are the settings for those stories.

Mental Map: 7 Exact Points with Anecdotes

Here is the route. These are seven corners you can walk in an afternoon. You don't need a digital map or GPS. Just walk with your eyes open and ask the neighbors.

1. Carrera 70 with Calle 33: The Tango Stop

This corner is the starting point. Before the Metro station existed, the buses of the "Laureles-Centro" route stopped here. Don Carlos told me that on weekends, a man named "El Tano" would arrive with his accordion and play tangos. "People would gather to listen to him. There was no money involved. It was pure love for music." Today, there is a supermarket on that corner, but if you stand there for a while, you can imagine the sound of the bandoneón.

2. Calle 34 with Carrera 71: The House of Pigeons

On this corner, an old two-story house has a clay tile roof. Doña Marta told me that in the 1960s, the owner raised carrier pigeons. "He would release them from the roof, and they would fly to downtown. It was a spectacle. We children would run to see them." The house is still standing, but the pigeons are gone. If you look closely, you can still see the holes in the tiles where they perched.

3. Carrera 72 with Calle 33: The Tram Corner

Few know that a tram used to run through Laureles. At the corner of Carrera 72 with Calle 33, there was a stop. Jairo remembers: "The tram would ring a bell. When you heard it, you knew you had to run. Not like now, when the Metro comes every three minutes." The tram stopped running in the 1950s, but the lamppost on that corner is original from that era.

4. Calle 34 with Carrera 73: The Store of Memories

This corner was the home of the "Tienda La Esperanza" that Doña Marta mentioned. Today it is a fast-food place, but if you talk to the current owner, he will tell you he found an old sign under the counter. "It was made of wood, with hand-painted letters. I keep it stored away," he says. That store was the social center of the neighborhood. People went to buy, but also to gossip and ask for advice.

5. Carrera 74 with Calle 33: The Cinema That Is No More

On this corner, where there is now an apartment building, stood the "Cine Laureles." Jairo told me the facade was white, with a red neon sign. "Movies cost 50 cents. On Sundays, children got in free if they brought a can of milk to donate." The cinema closed in 1985. Now, on the ground floor of the building, there is a bakery. But if you look closely, the floor at the entrance has original tiles from the cinema.

6. Calle 35 with Carrera 75: The Poets' Corner

This corner is special. In the 1970s, a group of young people would meet here to read poetry. They called themselves "Los Laureles." Don Carlos says that one of them, a guy named "Mario," even published a book. "He was never famous, but his poems spoke about the city. About the streets, about the people." Today, there is a small café on that corner. The owner, who is the grandson of one of those poets, sometimes organizes readings on Saturdays.

7. Carrera 76 with Calle 34: The End of the Route

The last corner is the quietest. A lady lived here who made arepas de chócolo every Sunday. "The smell could be felt from the block away," says Doña Marta. "People would line up to buy them. She didn't sell many, just enough so she wouldn't have to work all day." The lady died years ago, but on the corner there is still an arepa stand that her son maintains. The arepas are still good.

What to Do on This Route

The idea is not just to pass by the corners. It is to stop. At each point, I recommend:

• Listen: Stand still for five minutes. Close your eyes. Listen to the sounds of the neighborhood. Maybe you'll hear something that transports you to the past.
• Ask: If you see an older neighbor, greet them. Ask if they remember anything about the corner. People from Medellín are friendly and like to tell stories.
• Photograph: The old houses, the lampposts, the facades. They are details that disappear quickly.
• Buy: At the last corner, buy an arepa de chócolo. It is a gesture that keeps the tradition alive.

Where to Eat or Drink on the Route

It's not all history. Laureles also has good food. Here are options near the corners, with real data:

• La Arepa de la Esquina: At Carrera 76 with Calle 34. Arepas de chócolo from $3,000 COP. Open Thursday to Sunday, 6pm to 10pm. It is the stand inherited by the son of the lady from the story.
• Café Los Laureles: At Calle 35 with Carrera 75. Specialty coffee, black coffee from $4,000 COP. Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. Poetry readings are held there.
• Panadería El Cine: At Carrera 74 with Calle 33. Yuca bread and pandebono from $1,500 COP. Open every day, 6am to 9pm. It is located on the site of the old cinema.
• Supermercado La 70: At Carrera 70 with Calle 33. They sell empanadas and natural juices. Empanada from $2,000 COP. Open Monday to Saturday, 7am to 9pm. It is the starting point of the route.

Reference prices from July 2026. May vary. It is recommended to verify hours before visiting, especially on Sundays.

How to Get There and Transportation

The route is pedestrian, but you can easily get to Laureles:

• Metro: Take line A to the "Laureles" station. From there, walk 10 minutes south to Carrera 70 with Calle 33.
• Bus: The "Laureles-Centro" and "Laureles-El Poblado" routes stop on Carrera 70. Ask the driver to let you off at Calle 33.
• On foot: If you are downtown, it is a 30-minute walk. Via Avenida Nutibara, you go straight there.
• Bicycle: Laureles has bike lanes. You can rent a public bike (EnCicla) at the Universidad de Antioquia station and drop it off at the Carrera 70 station.

The complete route, walking slowly and making stops, takes about 2 hours. If you want to have lunch or coffee, plan for 3 hours.

Local Tips

• Ideal time: Saturday at 4pm. The sun is low, the neighborhood is lively, and the shops are open. On Sundays, many places close early.
• Clothing: Wear comfortable shoes. The sidewalks in Laureles are old and have uneven surfaces. Bring a bottle of water, as the heat can be strong.
• Language: You don't need to speak Spanish fluently. Older neighbors may be shy, but if you smile and say "good afternoon," they will respond.
• Safety: Laureles is safe, but as in any neighborhood in Medellín, watch your belongings. Don't take out your cell phone on every corner. Better to keep it and use it only for quick photos.
• Fun fact: Carrera 70 was formerly called "Calle Real." It was the road that connected Medellín with the municipality of Bello. Muleteers passed through there with mules loaded with coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Route Safe to Walk Alone?

Yes, Laureles is one of the safest neighborhoods in Medellín. The route goes through busy, well-lit streets. If you go during the day, there is no problem. At night, the corners are empty, but the commercial establishments are open until 9pm. It is always better to go with company if you don't know the area.

Is There Any Cost to Do the Route?

No, the route is completely free. You would only spend money if you buy food or coffee at the places we mentioned. The arepas de chócolo cost from $3,000 COP, and a coffee is around $4,000 COP. Bringing cash is useful because some stalls don't accept cards.

Can I Do the Route with Children?

Yes, it is suitable for children. The distances are short and the streets are quiet. Children can enjoy seeing the old houses and the pigeons on the corner of Carrera 71. The Panadería El Cine sells pandebono that little ones love. Just make sure to bring water and sunscreen.

CTA: Do You Know Another Corner with History?

Laureles has more than seven corners. Surely there are stories we didn't tell here. If you live in the neighborhood or have visited it and know another point with an anecdote, write to us at malokal.com and we will include it in the secret route. We want this guide to grow with the memory of those who walk these streets.