In colonial Medellín, the main streets marked out the perimeter of the Plaza Mayor, the town’s political, religious and commercial centre. This area was home to the most influential figures of the time: royal officials, Creoles, Church leaders and mainlanders, who occupied the most prestigious plots of land.
The square and its streets were designed in accordance with Spanish regulations, following an octagonal grid pattern laid out using a string and a ruler. In practice, however, this ideal pattern was altered by the local geography and dynamics.
In the town of La Candelaria, urban growth was influenced by factors such as the ravines, the layout of the plots and the reluctance of some landowners to alter their land. This gave rise to narrow, irregular streets with concave curves, many of which can still be seen in the historic centre of Medellín.
