Towards the end of the 19th century, one of the most eccentric and memorable figures in history emerged in Medellín: Carlos Coriolano Amador, regarded as the richest man in Colombia and one of the key figures in the city’s modernisation.
Known for his extravagant lifestyle, Amador was the first person to bring a car to Medellín, as well as introducing the cinema and the telegraph – innovations that marked a turning point in the city’s technological and cultural history. He became a central figure during an era dominated by patriarchs, matriarchs and deeply conservative customs.
The legendary parties at his Miraflores estate, located in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood, are still remembered with amazement. It is said that these celebrations could last up to two weeks, with fountains spouting champagne instead of water and live music forming an essential part of the spectacle. Such was his fame that in Medellín he was known as ‘Coro’ amongst friends and ‘the golden donkey’ amongst his detractors.
