History of San Rafael, Antioquia: church, parish and festivals
San Rafael was not always where it is. Today's town is the second one: the first stood elsewhere and moved in the early twentieth century.
From La Cuchilla to San Rafael
According to Wikipedia, miners founded the settlement on August 5, 1864, under the name La Cuchilla. It became a municipality in 1871, and in 1905 the priest José de Jesús Correa led the move to the current site, between the Guatapé and Bizcocho rivers. That is why the local tourism network gives 1905 as its founding date.
The municipality covers about 362 km² with an estimated 17,572 people in 2026. In the late twentieth century the area was transformed by the reservoirs and power plants of the Guatapé and Playas system, which still shape the landscape.
The church and parish
The main church is San Rafael Arcángel, facing the square, with a clock tower and dome. Wikimedia Commons photos show it changed color: in 2016 it was yellow and white, and in 2023 it appears white with reddish trim. It is the meeting point for almost every tour: Alianza Local Tours, for example, meets its groups in front of it. The statue of Simón Bolívar stands in the same square.
Inside
Inside are white columns with gilded capitals, wooden ceilings, an upper choir above the entrance and a gilded altarpiece in the sanctuary. It is usually open between masses; go in quietly and without flash.
Festivals and calendar
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| January | River Festival (Fiestas del Río) |
| July | River horse ride (Cabalgata del Río) |
| August | Fishing open |
| October | Patron saint festival and Tourism, nature and culture festival |
Calendar from the local tourism network guide. Wikipedia puts the River Festival in June and the patron saint days from October 16 to 24; confirm dates with the town hall.
At the table, Wikipedia highlights bizcocho de arriero and horchata, and sugar mills dot the countryside. More plans in things to do in San Rafael and birds of San Rafael. For festival dates, also check the San Rafael weather and go back to the San Rafael guide to plan the trip.
Frequently asked questions
When are the San Rafael, Antioquia festivals?
Why is it called San Rafael?
Sources
Checked on October 18, 2026. Prices and opening hours change: always confirm with the official source before you travel.