District 13 (Comuna 13), the notorious neighborhood in Medellin history, has transformed itself from a dangerous place where residents were afraid to leave their homes into a vibrant center for arts and hip-hop dance in the city.
The area is home to the enormous 384m orange-roofed outdoor escalator, connecting Comuna 13 (located high on the hillside) to the rest of Medellín.
A journey that once took residents a strenuous 35-minute hike up the hill has now been transformed into a six-minute trip.
The escalator, completed in 2011, is divided into six sections allowing people living on different levels of the hillside to access at different points.
It has improved life in District 13 where people now feel more connected to the rest of the city.
Along the way through the escalator stops you can see vibrant street art that lines the city walls with colorful graphics from amazing graffiti artists in the city.
Community centers and the Library Park have also opened to provide services to women and children in the area to further education and financial independence.
