Where we are

At the foothills of the Andes in Colombia, what is considered to be, the world’s softest coffee is grown and produced. The cultural landscape of Colombian coffee production was in 2011 recognized as a World Heritage landscape as it is a remarkable example of human adaption to complex geographic conditions. These fields have come to symbolize the tradition of coffee growing worldwide, as it still is an illustration of a sustainable and productive cultural landscape. The Cultural Coffee Landscape stretches over many municipalities but within the frames of RURITAGE, there are two municipalities participating: Salento and Palestina.

Territory

There is more to the coffee culture than the actual coffee production, there are both intangible traditions as well as tangible heritage. For example, in Salento, the remnant from colonialization is visual where ever you go, the city is characterized for its colorful, Spaniard architecture. The value of the architecture has been recognized and there are inventories and guidelines for built cultural heritage valorization within the area. Salento is also growing as a tourist destination, which have resulted in strategic and action plans for the promotion of the area as a heritage destination.

When it comes to the more intangible parts of local heritage, social capital around the coffee culture is safeguarded and sustainably developed through linkage to territory management. Innovative e-learning courses and digital connection have been developed. Last but not least, there is job being done to protect the biodiversity within the cultural landscape.

Rural Heritage

There are two hubs gathering the stakeholders of the cultural landscape of Colombian coffee production in regard to RURITAGE. The two hubs are located in the two participating towns of Palestina and Quindío. In the Quindío the hub is situated in the town hall while in Palestina it is found at the House of Culture.