The Rumor That Runs on the Hill of Bavaria
If you walk through the upper part of Santa Marta, above the Circunvalación, you reach a neighborhood that seems suspended in time: Bavaria. It is not the tourist destination of postcards, nor does it have the sea breeze that visitors seek. Here the heat is dry, the streets are steep, and the silence sometimes weighs heavy. But if you ask any neighbor over 40, they will lower their voice and tell you: "up there, where nobody builds, was the bunker of Parche 13".
That bunker is not a myth. It existed. And although today it is just a vacant lot full of rubble and weeds, its story tells how crime was organized in one of the toughest areas of the city during the 2000s. In May 2026, the place remains a blind spot on the city council's maps, but not in the memory of those who lived through that era.
📌 Transparency
This article contains sponsored/affiliate links. We may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This article is not a traditional travel guide. It is a route through the memory of a neighborhood few know, an invitation to understand how violence marked the architecture of Santa Marta and why that bunker remains a symbol of what is not wanted to be remembered.
Bavaria: The Neighborhood Nobody Planned
Bavaria does not appear in travel guides. It has no boardwalk, no trendy restaurants, no hostels. It is an informal neighborhood, built on slopes that in the 1980s began to be populated by families displaced by violence from the interior of the country. The name, they say, was given by a German contractor who worked at a brewery in the area, but nobody confirms it.
What is certain is that Bavaria became a strategic territory. From its high streets, a large part of the city is visually dominated: the center, the public market, the road to the airport. Therefore, when Parche 13 began operating in the late 1990s, it chose this hill as its operations center.
Parche 13 was not just any gang. It was a paramilitary structure disguised as a gang, with connections to drug trafficking and local political class. They controlled micro-trafficking, extortion, and the collection of protection money in the southern neighborhoods. And its bunker, built on one of the highest points of Bavaria, was its fortress.
The Construction of the Bunker: Architecture of Fear
The bunker was not a normal house. Neighbors remember it was built in 2004, on a lot that was once a soccer field. It had 40-centimeter-thick concrete walls, narrow windows like loopholes, and a single entrance that led to a dead-end alley. From inside, you could watch the entire neighborhood without being seen.
The materials arrived at night, in unmarked trucks. The neighbors themselves, threatened, helped carry blocks and cement. In less than three months, the bunker was ready: two floors, a terrace with a panoramic view, and a basement that, according to court records, was used to hold kidnapped people.
The most striking thing was not its size, but its function. It was not a home. It was a command center. There, hits were planned, long weapons were stored, and emissaries from the cartels were received. The police knew it existed, but for years they could not enter. Bavaria was no man's land.
Interview with Alias "El Mocho": Former Member of Parche 13
To understand what was happening inside, we spoke with a man who asks to keep his identity confidential. We will call him "El Mocho". He is 47 years old, lives in another neighborhood of Santa Marta, and today works in a hardware store. 15 years ago, he was one of those in charge of the bunker's security.
"That wasn't a house, it was a fortress. We had radios, cameras, and there were always at least five armed men. The boss, whom we called 'El Ingeniero', slept there. Nobody entered without permission. If you were from the neighborhood, you knew you had to ask for authorization just to pass by the street below," he says.
El Mocho remembers that the bunker had a system of tunnels that connected to two neighboring houses. "In case the law came, we would leave through the bottom. One exit led to Doña Rosa's house, the lady who sold empanadas. Nobody suspected."
We asked him what life was like inside. "There was a lot of money. Stacks of bills wrapped in black bags arrived. But also a lot of fear. Once they brought a guy who owed money. They kept him in the basement for three days. I didn't get involved in that, but you could hear the screams. It's something you don't forget."
El Mocho left Parche 13 in 2009, just before the police carried out the operation that ended the bunker. "I left because I saw things were going to get ugly. The Army had already started to put pressure. I went to live in Ciénaga. When I found out they tore it down, I felt relief."
The 2010 Operation: When the Police Entered
On March 14, 2010, a National Police command supported by the Marine Infantry executed the operation "Tormenta en la Colina". According to the court records we accessed, the bunker was raided without a single shot being fired. The leaders of Parche 13 had already been alerted and fled hours earlier. But inside, evidence remained: 12 AK-47 rifles, 4 pistols, 2 grenades, 30 kilos of cocaine, and a notebook with names of local politicians who received money.
The news appeared in local newspapers but quickly disappeared from the agenda. "It wasn't convenient for much to be known," a journalist who covered the case and prefers not to give his name tells us. "There were connections with the political class. The case was archived due to 'lack of evidence'. The rifles disappeared from the inventories. That's how it works here."
After the raid, the bunker was abandoned. For months, neighbors entered to take what was left: doors, windows, copper pipes. Then, the city council ordered its partial demolition, but it was never completed. Today, what remains are the foundations, a cracked concrete wall, and a pile of garbage that nobody collects.
Current Photograph of the Site: What Remains of the Bunker
If you visit the place today, in May 2026, you will find a vacant lot of about 200 square meters. The weeds cover almost everything. Some concrete stairs that led to the main entrance are broken in half. On the ground, there are remains of bricks, broken bottles, and a burned tire. On the wall that still stands, someone spray-painted: "Parche 13 lives". But the paint is faded, like the memory of what happened.
From the terrace, which no longer exists, you can see all of Santa Marta. The sea, the center, the hill of Mamatoco. It is a view that the bosses of Parche 13 used to control the territory. Today, it is a silent viewpoint that only stray dogs and the occasional curious person climb to.
The neighbors avoid talking about it. "That's in the past," says Doña María, 68, who lives half a block away. "Now the neighborhood is calmer. But you never know. Sometimes strange cars arrive and people get nervous."
Some young people in the neighborhood do not even know the bunker existed. "That? I think it was an old house," says Carlos, 19, while playing soccer in the street. "My mom never told me."
How the Place Was 'Cleaned' and Today Is a Vacant Lot Nobody Claims
After the operation, the property was left in legal limbo. According to the District Planning Office, the lot belongs to a private individual who never showed up to claim it. "It is in the process of asset forfeiture," they told us at the city council, but the process has been going on for over 10 years. Meanwhile, the land is used as an improvised dump and a drug consumption point.
In 2018, the Community Action Board of Bavaria proposed turning the lot into a sports field. The idea did not prosper. "There was a lack of budget and political will," says the president of the Board, who prefers not to give his name. "Besides, there are those who say it's better not to touch that place. That it attracts bad energy."
Today, the site is an uncomfortable reminder. There is no plaque, no museum, nothing to explain what happened there. It is as if the city had decided to erase that part of its history. But the foundations are still there, waiting for someone to look at them.
What to Do in Bavaria Today (Beyond the Bunker)
Bavaria is not a tourist neighborhood, but it has its own life. If you decide to visit, do not expect restaurants or bars. Here is what you can do:
- Walk along the main street: Carrera 10 is the backbone of the neighborhood. There are corner stores, a bakery that sells hot pandebono from 6am, and a beauty salon where the ladies gather to talk about life.
- Climb to the natural viewpoint: From the highest part, where the bunker was, you have a 360-degree view of Santa Marta. Bring water and sunscreen, because the sun is strong.
- Talk to the older neighbors: If you earn their trust, they will tell you stories that do not appear in books. Doña Ana, 72, has lived in the same house since 1985. "I saw when they built that bunker. I knew it was for nothing good. But you kept quiet out of fear."
- Eat at the arepa stand on the corner: At Calle 12 with Carrera 10, a lady named Bertha has been selling arepas with egg and suero for 20 years. They cost $4,000 COP each (reference prices from May 2026).
Where to Eat or Drink Near Bavaria
The neighborhood has no nightlife or gourmet restaurants. But if you get hungry, there are nearby options:
- Pizzería Donde Juan: At the entrance of Bavaria, on the Circunvalación. They sell pizza by the slice from $8,000 COP. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am-9pm.
- Tienda La 14: A corner store that sells cold beer and empanadas. It is the meeting point for neighbors. A beer costs $3,500 COP.
- Comedor La Abuela: On Calle 11, a house converted into a diner. Executive lunch for $12,000 COP: soup, main course, and juice. Only at noon.
How to Get There and Transportation
Bavaria is located in the southern part of Santa Marta, near the San Martín neighborhood. Getting there is easy if you have a car or motorcycle, but it is also possible by public transport:
- By bus: Take any bus on the "Bavaria" or "San Martín" route in the center (Calle 22 with Carrera 5). The fare is $2,500 COP. The trip takes about 25 minutes.
- By mototaxi: From the center, a mototaxi will charge you between $8,000 and $10,000 COP. Negotiate the price before getting on.
- By private car: From the center, go up the Circunvalación to the height of the San Martín neighborhood. Then turn right onto Calle 10. The road is paved but narrow.
- Walking: If you like adventure, you can climb from the center via the stairs of the San Martín neighborhood. It is about a 30-minute steep climb. Not recommended if you are alone or at night.
Local Tips for Visiting Bavaria
- Do not go alone: Although the neighborhood is calmer than before, it is still a popular area. Go accompanied and avoid showing expensive cameras or cell phones.
- Bring cash: In Bavaria, there are no ATMs or card terminals. Stores only accept bills and coins.
- Respect the silence: The people in the neighborhood are reserved. Do not ask directly about Parche 13 unless they offer the information. It can be a sensitive topic.
- Visit in the morning: Between 8am and 11am is the best time. There is more activity, less heat, and you can see children playing in the streets.
- Do not go into vacant lots: The bunker land is not safe. There is broken glass, rubble, and possibly dangerous animals. Look from the street.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe to Visit Bavaria Today?
Bavaria is not a tourist area, but during the day it is relatively safe if you stay on the main streets. The homicide rate has dropped significantly since 2010. However, as in any popular neighborhood in Santa Marta, it is recommended not to walk alone at night or show valuables. If you go with respect and discretion, you will have no problems.
Is the Parche 13 Bunker Still Standing?
# What remains are only the foundations and a cracked concrete wall. The site was partially demolished after the 2010 police operation. Today it is a vacant lot covered in weeds and rubble. There is no habitable structure or signage indicating what it was.
Can You Access the Bunker Lot?
Yes, it is an open piece of land without fences, but it is not advisable to enter. The place is full of garbage, broken glass, and potential hazards like animals or used syringes. Additionally, some neighbors report that it is occasionally used for drug consumption. It is better to observe it from the street or from the upper part of the neighborhood.
Are There Tours or Guides That Explain This Story?
There are no official tours or tourist guides that cover Bavaria or the Parche 13 bunker. The story remains alive only in the memory of the neighbors and in some court records. If you want to learn more, it is best to contact local historians or the Corporación Memoria y Paz de Santa Marta, which has documented similar cases.
What Happened to the Leaders of Parche 13?
Most of the ringleaders fled before the 2010 operation. Some were captured years later in other departments. "El Ingeniero", the boss of the bunker, was killed in 2015 in a territorial dispute in La Guajira. Other members are in prison or missing. The group was dismantled, but its micro-trafficking networks were absorbed by other organizations.
Why Has Nobody Claimed the Bunker Land?
The property has been in the process of asset forfeiture for over 10 years. The original owner never showed up to claim it, probably because he was linked to Parche 13. The city council has tried to allocate it for community use, but bureaucratic procedures and lack of political interest have prevented it from materializing.
Historical or Contextual Introduction
Bavaria, a neighborhood in the upper part of Santa Marta, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Originally conceived as an urban development project for workers of the Bavaria brewery, the neighborhood has remained an enclave of local culture despite the changes that have affected the city over the years. With its colonial-style houses and cobblestone streets, Bavaria offers a glimpse into the past that contrasts with the modernity of other areas of Santa Marta.
This place is not only home to a vibrant community but also to stories of resistance and transformation. Over the years, the area has faced social and economic challenges, but its inhabitants have kept alive traditions and customs that reflect the essence of the region. Walking through its streets is to immerse yourself in an atmosphere where the past and present coexist in a unique way.
Furthermore, Bavaria is known for its proximity to natural spaces such as the Tayrona National Park, making it an ideal starting point to explore the beauty of the Colombian Caribbean. Visiting this neighborhood is an experience that goes beyond simple observation; it is an opportunity to connect with the history, culture, and people who have made this place their home.