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The Catholic aboriginal ethnic group, ancient inhabitants of this region, fought fiercely against the Spanish to keep their belongings. Reliable records indicate that Vasco Núñez de Balboa was the first conqueror to arrive, at the beginning of the 16th century. The importance of an indigenous chief named Toné, remembered indigenous driver who knew how to lead, although he would later succumb, fierce battles against the Iberians, and with whose name there is, comes to mind the importance of this region and in general throughout the southwest of Antioquia. baptized dozens of towns and establishments throughout the southwestern region of Antioquia.

Formerly the town was called Xundabé, which means Dove Shelter, San Carlos de la Isleta, Olimpia and San José de Urrao.

Some versions about the origin of the current name say that an indigenous named Gaspar Urrado lived in this region and when the ´´d´´ was suppressed, Urrao remained, or that it could come from the Catíos words ´´Uro´´ which means Wax and ´´ Do´´, river, then it would be Río de Cera or Camino de Cera.

The town became an obligatory passage, or settlement, for travelers between Antioquia and Chocó, and this condition took off its progress. Urrao before also included the municipality that today is Vigía del Fuerte. Hence the first name it had for San Carlos de la Isleta, which was the town that existed at the mouth of the Murri River in the Atrato.

Its great ecological value is the PNN Las Orquídeas, the only one completely located in Antioquia and a place that serves as a habitat for a rich and varied fauna and flora.





Urrao is a municipality of Colombia, located in the Southwest subregion of the department of Antioquia. It limits to the north with the municipalities of Frontino and Abriaquí, to the east with the municipalities of Abriaquí, Caicedo, Anzá and Betulia, and to the south and west with the department of Chocó. It is the third largest municipality in the department.

Appellatives: ´´Hidden Paradise´´, ´´La Perla Antioqueña´´ and “Landscape City”, in addition to its majestic Penderisco River which is known by the appellation ´´Firma de Dios sobre la tierra´´ for its imposing curves that They make it look unique on the valley of the penderisco.

The municipality has 1 township: La Encarnación, and several populated centers, among them, Mandé, Santa Isabel, Pavón, San José, Pringamosal, La Cartagena, La Magdalena, Guapantal, El Chuscal, La Venta, El Llano, El Cireno, La sling and black bridge.

It has 102 sidewalks, among other streets, Santa Isabel, Penderisco Arriba, San Joaquín, Llano Grande, Zarzagueta, Santa Ana, San Carlos, Aguas Chiquitas, La Ana, La Venta, Carnations, Santa Catalina, Avocados and El Hato, pavón, San José, pringamosal, la Cartagena, la magdalena, guapantal, el chuscal, la venta, el llano, el cireno, la sling and black bridge.

It is fortunate to have all the thermal floors, from 100 meters above sea level to the highest altitude that can be found in Antioquia, which makes it a privileged site for its biodiversity, hosting several endemic species of fauna and flora.

It is connected by road with a paved section and another uncovered in the paving process with Betulia.

And by uncovered road with Caicedo, the Altamira de Betulia district, and with El Carmen de Atrato in Chocó.

And within the municipal roads, it connects with the village of La Encarnación.

Economy

Agriculture: Granadilla, Fruit trees, Beans, Cane, Corn, Potato, Vegetables

Livestock: Levante and Dairy

Mining

Woods

Very active trading.





Gastronomy

One of its most recognized products is the Urrao Sweet Cheese

Fruits: the granadilla is emblematic and very important in the district, emblematic fruit of the region and pride of the city

Typical Antioquia food, paisa tray, roasts, fast foods.

Parties:

Urrao Carnival, at the end of June, to highlight the spirit of freedom and rebellion inherited from the legendary indigenous leader. The balconies of the houses are adorned with flowers, banners and bouquets of granadilla this is the most important festival in the municipality and one of those that receives more tourists, famous for its horseback riding, where the best specimens of the department are found, their reigns also make an important part of these festivities, its great parades, and striking bands where the importance of the marching band of the monsignor j educational institution is highlighted. Iván Cadavid Gutiérrez.

Municipal Festival of Theater-floats, with popular dances, costumes, musical ensembles, games of chance, cavalcades, bullfights, “embolados”, calves or “coleo”

Patronal feast of San José, March 19

Torchlight Parade, May 3

Souls: In November, every Tuesday and Friday, the "Our Fathers" are prayed and a tour of the town is carried out at midnight.

Natural heritage:

Las Orquídeas National Natural Park. Located more than 4,000 meters above sea level, it is home to some 300 species of orchids and animals such as the Spectacled Bear, the Tigrillo, the Blue-tailed Hummingbird and other varieties of birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Páramo de Urrao.

Plain landscapes that contrast with the mountains.

Rivers Penderisco and Urrao.

Cultural heritage:

House of culture of the municipality.

Hacienda El Espinal, beautiful old house, with large walls and high ceilings

Hacienda Sandima, 200 years old

Old Houses, which abound in the municipality, especially in the blocks near the main park.

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