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The presence of a 17th century style French castle in the heart of a bustling Latin American city is somewhat of an anachronism, and leaves visitors wondering what on earth the castle is doing inMedellin, Colombia.



Arrival at the castle, with its avenue of foreign European trees and its impressive Gothic iron gates, certainly feels like you're anywhere but Colombia. Strangely enough, thestory behind the Museo de Castillo (Castle Museum) is even more interesting than the building itself.



According to Daniela Echavarria, a direct descendant of the man who called the castle home,the preservation of this place and its story is important to the history and culture of the city of Medellin. Echavarria, who today works as the head of communications and director of the culturalprogram at the museum says, "I think that all the people of Medellin enjoy the spaces that preserve what Medellin was in that period. It has become very important for us, the places where they rescueand preserve these stories."



The Gothic medieval style of the castle, built in 1930, is intended to recreate the style of the renaissance castles of France’s Loire Valley for the wealthy classesof 20th century Medellin, albeit centuries after Europeans has lived in homes such as these.



The castle was bought by a wealthy Medellin philanthropist and businessman, Diego Ricardo EchavarriaMisas, in 1943 as a home for his family. Diego and his new German wife Benedikta were both passionate about art and culture and set about creating a home full of both.



According to Diego’sdescendant, Miss Echavarria, "they lived here, everything was perfect, they loved everything to do with art, with culture. A great majority of the art you see in the house is from their trips overseas."It was this passion for art and culture that made them want to donate their house and all its possessions to the city of Medellin after they died. Miss Echavarria explained their passion for...