Cerro de las Tres Cruces

Why are there three crosses on that hill? That’s Cerro de las Tres Cruces. It’s named after the three large crosses you see at the top. The Cerro de las Tres Cruces has watched over Cali for centuries. It’s a place of legends, faith, and breathtaking views. The story of the crosses is intertwined with a tale of a malevolent entity known as Buziraco. Legend has it that after being expelled from Cartagena, Buziraco set his sights on Cali. The city was plagued by misfortune. Disease, natural disasters, and a sense of unease gripped its inhabitants. It was then, in 1837, that two Franciscan friars, Fray Juan and Fray Vicente, decided to confront the evil. They ascended the cerro in a solemn procession, carrying three crosses made of guadua, a type of bamboo. They planted the crosses on the summit, hoping to contain Buziraco’s power. For a while, peace returned to Cali. But Buziraco was not so easily defeated. In 1925, a devastating earthquake struck the city, toppling the crosses. Buziraco was free once more. Fear returned to the hearts of the Caleños. It was time for a more permanent solution. In 1937, the construction of the current concrete crosses began. The project was spearheaded by Father Marco Tulio Collazos, who believed that these new crosses would finally imprison Buziraco. Today, the Cerro de las Tres Cruces stands as a testament to the city’s resilience, faith, and the enduring power of legend. Whether or not you believe in the tale of Buziraco, a hike up the Cerro de las Tres Cruces is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.