THE HERITAGE OF SALAMINA ON THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION
Nestled in the heart of the Colombian Andes, this emblematic town was a cultural and political epicenter of fundamental importance in the consolidation of Greater Caldas, earning the name "Mother of Towns" and later "City of Light of Colombia." In the context of its bicentennial, Salamina showcases a rich cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. It has been declared a National Monument and belongs to the Network of Heritage Towns of Colombia. Within its boundaries lies the "Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape," a property of universal value, inscribed on the World Heritage List and monitored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
D. GÓMEZ AND THE SPIRIT OF OUR TIMES
Gómez was born in Salamina, Caldas. His work is recognized as part of the Cultural Heritage of the Republic and, by extension, the Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He promotes the identification, protection, and preservation of "Cultural and Natural Heritage" considered to be of exceptional value to humanity.
The UNESCO "World Heritage Committee," one of the governing bodies of the "Convention for the Protection of the World, Cultural, and Natural Heritage," selected his frames to illustrate the ceremony of the inscription of the "Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape" on the "World Heritage" list. This ceremonial event took place in his hometown, leaving a legacy for posterity.
In times of recession and uncertainty, Gómez captured the essence of the Bicentennial Salamina and poetically documented the spirit of our times. During the last decade, he designed and synthesized the modern iconography of the Caldense municipality, which subsequently would nourish its "Cultural Renaissance." Many of his documentary shots have been widely disseminated and have become iconic archetypes of "Colombian National Culture." Education, cultural management, heritage iconography, documentary photography, and cultural posters are some of the common areas of his work.
One of his best critics wrote in 2020: “The legitimate counterpoint of this cultural manager, documentarian, and visionary designer places us before the first work classified as 'Historical Heritage' that the 'City of Light' has in its modern history so far. The undeniable influence of his art, supported by his cultural achievements as well as his professional career, has earned him a place in the 'Memory' and in the 'Cultural Heritage of the Republic,' which resonates on its own in the context of 'World Heritage,' protected and monitored by UNESCO.
Regarding this, it is worth recalling these words of Platon: “natural things are also works of art, but of divine art.” This implies recognizing the ideas, the order of the world, beauty, image, and divinity. This definition can be applied to Gómez's work, in which all factors constantly harmonize, always in the service of art itself, imbued with strength and transcendence.
Manuel Ignacio Moreno.
Director, Research and Graduate Studies Commission,
Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences,
University of Caldas.
Publication date: Friday, February 1, 2025
Last updated: Friday, February 28, 2025
THE HERITAGE OF SALAMINA ON THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION
Nestled in the heart of the Colombian Andes, this emblematic town was a cultural and political epicenter of fundamental importance in the consolidation of Greater Caldas, earning the name "Mother of Towns" and later "City of Light of Colombia." In the context of its bicentennial, Salamina showcases a rich cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. It has been declared a National Monument and belongs to the Network of Heritage Towns of Colombia. Within its boundaries lies the "Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape," a property of universal value, inscribed on the World Heritage List and monitored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
THE "FIVE C'S" OF THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION
The "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage," adopted in 1972, recognizes that some places on Earth have "outstanding universal value" and should be part of the common heritage of humanity. Heritage is the legacy we inherit from the past, live with today, and will pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage constitutes an irreplaceable source of life and inspiration. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is dedicated to promoting, worldwide, the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage deemed to have exceptional value for humanity. This mission is set out in an international treaty called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. The concept of World Heritage is exceptional due to its universal scope. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the planet, regardless of the territory in which they are located. Currently, 195 countries have ratified the World Heritage Convention and have become part of an international community united with the common goal of identifying and safeguarding the world’s most important natural and cultural heritage. The Convention is unique in that it combines the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural sites. The Convention, which places special emphasis on the important role of local communities, serves as an effective tool for addressing climate change, accelerated urbanization, mass tourism, sustainable socio-economic development, and natural disasters, as well as other challenges of our time.
1) Credibility: Strengthen the credibility of the World Heritage List as a representative and geographically balanced record of cultural and natural properties of outstanding universal value.
2) Conservation: Ensure the effective conservation of World Heritage properties.
3) Capacity Building: Promote the development of effective capacity-building measures to improve understanding and implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
4) Communication: Develop communication to raise public awareness and encourage their participation and support for World Heritage.
5) Communities: Promote the role of communities in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
LATIN AMERICAN TERRITORIAL MEMORY | WORLD HERITAGE | PRIVACY POLICY © 2026
