Pablo Escobar, one of the most well-known and controversial figures in the history of drug trafficking, has left an indelible mark both in Colombia and in the world. His name transcends generations and borders, becoming a universally known character. His life has been the subject of books, documentaries and series, keeping his figure alive, and it is no wonder, since in the 80s he was one of the people with the most money in the world.
In addition to his adventures in crime, Pablo Escobar will always be remembered for building what is now one of the largest theme parks in Colombia. We are talking about Hacienda Nápoles, a complex dedicated to family entertainment and nature conservation. The central axis of this place is a huge sanctuary for the protection of endangered or threatened fauna. However, this was not always the case.
What is now one of the most visited tourist destinations in Colombia, attracting more than 500,000 people each year, was once a symbol of the boss’s opulence and excesses. This enormous property, located in Antioquia, was the center of its operations and one more example of its extravagant wealthwith a private zoo with exotic animals, swimming pools, artificial lakes, a private landing strip and high-end vehicles.
Entrance to Pablo Escobar’s private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles.
The origin of the park
The idea of this large complex arose in 1978, when Pablo Escobar and his cousin Gustavo Gaviria carried out the forced purchase of other smaller properties for later unify them into a single property of almost 3,000 hectares nicknamed Hacienda Nápoles. Next, a series of works were carried out to beautify the place and provide it with all the luxuries that so surrounded the life of the drug trafficker.
At that time, the private zoo had more than 1,500 animals brought from different parts of the world. It all started in 1981, when he illegally imported four hippos, to which others were progressively added. species such as elephants, giraffes, flamingos, rhinos and zebras. With all this, Escobar tried to win the affection of the local community, since the fact of having the animals free in his facilities gave him a certain popularity among the residents of the region.
The large property is located in Puerto Triunfo, an Antioquia municipality located more than 170 kilometers from Medellín. From here, the boss directed his drug trafficking operations and was the epicenter of violent acts and other criminal activities. After Escobar’s death, the farm was confiscated by the Colombian government and, with the passage of time, it was transformed into a theme park that bears the same name and exhibits vestiges of its great power.
Despite its success, the Hacienda Nápoles Theme Park is not exempt from criticism. Some consider that the popularity of the place could perpetuate the figure of Pablo Escobar, while others applaud the effort to transform into a family learning and entertainment space what was once a symbol of violence. For now, what is clear is that it is one of the main tourist attractions in Colombia with more than half a million visitors annually.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.es
