Sabaneta: the hidden mural by the local artist that no one saw

Historical or contextual introduction

If you walk through Sabaneta, you'll most likely come across the main square, the church, or the restaurants on Calle 44 Sur. But if you stray a few blocks, behind a grocery store that doesn't even have a sign, there is a mural that few know about. It was painted by Don Álvaro, a local resident who is now 70 years old, but who in 1985, when Sabaneta was still a town of farms and dirt roads, decided to do something no one expected.

Don Álvaro was not a trained artist. He was a bricklayer. But one night in July 1985, after everyone in the neighborhood had gone to sleep, he grabbed his brushes, a ladder, and a bucket of homemade paint, and started painting on the wall of the warehouse where he worked. He did it in secret, because the store owner had told him he didn't want "doodles" on his facade. But Don Álvaro, stubborn as he was, thought Sabaneta deserved a memory of what it was losing.

The mural is a rural scene: a cow grazing, a peasant in a hat bent over picking coffee, and in the background, a row of green mountains that no longer exist because they were replaced by buildings. It is a silent critique of the urbanization that began to devour the town in the 1990s. And although it is deteriorated —the paint is peeling, the sun has faded it, and a graffiti artist scratched a corner in 2018— it is still there, resisting.

This article is for you, who are looking for authentic street art, not the kind in tourist guides. Here I tell you how to find this hidden mural, what it means, and why it's worth seeing before it disappears completely.

What to do

Finding the mural: an urban exploration mission

The mural is not in a gallery or on an official street art route. It is on the back facade of a nameless grocery store, at Carrera 43A with Calle 42 Sur, two blocks from the main square of Sabaneta. The store has no name; locals know it as "the corner store" or "where el Gordo is." If you arrive and see a faded blue awning and an Águila beer sign taped on, you are in the right place.

To see the mural you have to walk to the alley next to the store. It is a narrow passage, about two meters wide, where sometimes there are empty vegetable crates and a dog that lies down to sleep. The mural is on the back wall, about three meters high. Don Álvaro painted it there because from that wall you could see the sunset over the mountains of La Doctora, a rural area that is now a residential complex.

The best time to go is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., when the sun hits directly and you can see the details of the painting. Bring a camera with zoom, because from the alley you can't get very close without stepping in puddles of dirty water. And watch out: the mural is on private property, so be respectful. Do not touch the wall or try to "restore" it. Don Álvaro says he prefers it to fall apart rather than have someone else paint over it.

Photographing the mural: tips to capture the essence

If you are an urban photographer, this mural is a challenge. The light is difficult because the alley is narrow and the sun only shines directly between 9 and 11 a.m. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full scene, but if you want the details —the peasant's hat, the texture of the cow— a 50mm lens or a zoom will serve you better.

The mural measures approximately 4 meters wide by 2.5 meters high. The original paint was oil, but Don Álvaro mixed it with lime to withstand the elements. Today it looks worn: there are parts where the brick shows through, and a damp stain has erased half of the cow's leg. This gives it a melancholic air that many artists seek. Don't edit the photo too much; the imperfection is part of the story.

If you want a more dramatic shot, go at sunset, when the setting sun illuminates the alley from the other side. The orange light contrasts with the earthy colors of the mural and gives it a nostalgic tone. But watch out: at that time the neighbor's dog is usually loose, and it's not very friendly with strangers.

Where to eat or drink

After the search, you'll get hungry. Sabaneta has options for all tastes, but here are the ones near the mural.

The corner store (no name)

The same store where the mural is sells sodas, beers, and empanadas. It's not a restaurant, but you can buy a chicken empanada for $2,000 COP and a Coca-Cola for $3,000 COP. The owner, a man in his 60s who goes by "el Gordo," knows the story of the mural and can tell you how Don Álvaro climbed the ladder that night in 1985. If he likes you, he might even show you old photos of the neighborhood.

La Casa de los Abuelos

Five blocks from the mural, on Calle 43 Sur with Carrera 44, is this home-style cooking restaurant. They are open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dishes range from $15,000 COP (bandeja paisa) to $25,000 COP (sobrebarriga with patacones). It's the ideal place for lunch after the walk. Order the lulo juice, which they make with milk and is thick like a smoothie.

Mercado de Sabaneta

If you want something quick, the Mercado de Sabaneta (Carrera 45 with Calle 42 Sur) has stalls with fruits, arepas, and natural juices. It's open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A chócolo arepa with cheese costs $5,000 COP. Sit at one of the plastic tables and watch how the locals do their shopping. It's the best antidote to mass tourism.

How to get there and transportation

Getting to Sabaneta from Medellín is easy. The mural is in the center of Sabaneta, two blocks from the main square.

By metro

Take Line A of the Medellín Metro to the Sabaneta station. From there, walk south along Carrera 43A (the main road). It's about a 10-minute walk. When you see the Sabaneta church (Parroquía Santa Ana), turn left onto Calle 42 Sur. The nameless store is half a block away, on the corner with Carrera 43A.

By bus

From downtown Medellín, you can take a bus on the "Sabaneta" route that leaves from the Terminal de Transportes del Norte (Carrera 64 with Calle 76). The fare is $3,200 COP (reference price as of July 2026). The bus drops you off on Carrera 43A, two blocks from the square. Ask the driver to let you know at "the corner store."

By car or taxi

If you go by car, put "Carrera 43A con Calle 42 Sur, Sabaneta" in the GPS. There is no designated parking, but you can park on the street if you find space. Taxis from El Poblado cost about $20,000 COP. Tell the taxi driver to take you to "the corner store, behind the church."

Local tips

• Don't go on a Monday: The store is closed on Mondays, and the alley is usually dirtier because neighbors throw out trash that day. Better Tuesday to Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Bring cash: The store does not accept cards or Nequi. Empanadas and sodas are paid for in cash. There is a Banco de Bogotá ATM in the main square, two blocks away.
• Respect the property: The mural is on a private wall. Do not touch the paint, do not leave trash, and if the owner asks you to leave, do so without arguing. Don Álvaro no longer lives there, and the current owner is not as friendly with curious people.
• Talk to the neighbors: If you see someone sitting at the store's door, ask them about Don Álvaro. The older neighbors remember him and can tell you how he painted the mural in secret, hiding the brushes in a cement bag so no one would discover him.
• Combine with other murals: Sabaneta has other murals in the main square and at the Casa de la Cultura, but they are more recent and made by artists hired by the city council. Don Álvaro's is the only one not in any guide. If you like authentic street art, this is the one worth it.
• Bring a flashlight: The alley is dark, especially in the afternoons. There is no public lighting, and the neighbors don't put up lights because they say it attracts "loafers." A cell phone flashlight works, but a physical one is better for seeing the details of the mural.

Frequently asked questions

Is the mural easy to find?

# It is hidden behind a nameless grocery store, in a narrow alley. The exact address is Carrera 43A with Calle 42 Sur. If you get to the main square of Sabaneta, walk two blocks south and look for a faded blue awning. That's it.

Can the mural be visited at any time?

The alley is public, so you can see the mural at any time. But the store is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you arrive outside those hours, the alley may be dark and the neighbor's dog may be loose. I recommend going between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Is Don Álvaro still alive?

Yes, Don Álvaro now lives in a nursing home in Envigado, 15 minutes from Sabaneta. He is 70 years old and his memory is failing, but he still remembers the night in 1985 when he painted the mural. If you want to meet him, you can ask at the store; the owner sometimes takes him to visit the mural on weekends.

Can I take photos of the mural?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, we encourage you to upload your photo with the hashtag #SabanetaSecreto so that Don Álvaro and his family can see how the mural is still alive. Just don't use direct flash because the paint is falling off and the flash accelerates the deterioration.

Are there other similar murals in Sabaneta?

There are other murals in the main square and at the Casa de la Cultura, but they are by contemporary artists and are listed in tourist guides. Don Álvaro's is the only one that doesn't appear anywhere, and the only one that is over 40 years old. It is a hidden gem worth seeking out.