Civic gestures

Airport Matecaña
Stadium Hernán Ramírez Villegas
Stadium Alberto Mora Mora
Sports complex Villa Olímpica
Deportivo Pereira
Festivities of La Cosecha

Airport Matecaña

Inaugurated in 1947, it is a symbol of the civic spirit and vitality of Pereira. The idea arose in 1927, but it was not until 1941 when Carlos de la Cuesta, together with a citizen board, took up the project. Construction faced financial and technical obstacles, aggravated by World War II, but advanced thanks to local commitment and the support of companies such as AVIANCA and the Colombian Tobacco Company.

On November 9, 1946, Captain Luis Carlos Londoño made the first landing on the Matecaña runway, marking a milestone in its development. Months later, in 1947, an AVIANCA Douglas aircraft and other test flights confirmed the airport’s operability. The official inauguration took place on August 7, 1947, with civic celebrations and the participation of national personalities.

Since then, the airport has evolved to become the most important airport in the Eje Cafetero. Throughout the decades, it has been expanded and modernized, including the construction of a new control tower and the remodeling of its runway and terminal. Matecaña continues to be a reference of regional development and air connection for Colombia.

Did you know?
Pereira's airport was not managed by Aerocivil

Stadium Hernán Ramírez Villegas

In the 1960s, Pereira dreamed of hosting the IX National Games in 1964, coinciding with its centennial (1863-1963). The Centennial Sports Corporation acquired the Hacienda La Albania to build the Olympic Village, driven by a massive civic conviviality led by Father Antonio José Valencia and Francisco Polanco Ripoll. Although Pereira lost the venue on that occasion, a decade later, in 1970, it was assigned the X National Athletic Games (1974), which transformed the city with improvements in infrastructure, roads, public services and the construction of coliseums, a velodrome, an aquatic complex and the El Jardín neighborhood.

In 1970, architect Hernán Ramírez Villegas and engineer Guillermo González Zuleta were appointed to build the Olympic Village stadium, inaugurated on May 1, 1971 and later renamed in honor of Ramírez Villegas. In 2011, the stadium was remodeled to meet the standards of the U-20 World Cup.

Stadium Alberto Mora Mora

Inaugurated in 1943 (according to some in 1942), it was built on land donated by the Municipality of Pereira. It was opened by 11 Deportivo de Manizales and a local team. Initially, it lacked bleachers in the north, south and east zones, with only a few boards in the west and a fence separating the public from the field. The area was known as “Libaré” because of the fondas frequented by muleteers, and was later renamed in honor of Alberto Mora Mora, a doctor and sports leader who died tragically in the 1950s.

The stadium gained prominence with the founding of Deportivo Pereira in 1944, and became the “Fortín de Libaré” thanks to memorable matches such as the 9-0 win over Huracán in 1951 and the 6-0 win over Atlético Nacional in 1962. In 1953, it hosted an outstanding duel against Millonarios, led by figures such as Alfredo Di Stéfano. During the 1960s and 1970s, it experienced its golden years, driven by players such as Aurelio Balbuena, Mario Rivarola and Clemente Rolón.

Sports complex Villa Olímpica

The pools of the Olympic Village of Pereira originated in 1960, when the city aspired to host the IX National Games in 1964. Under the administration of Mayor Emilio Vallejo Restrepo, the “Albania” hacienda (27 hectares) was purchased, where the Villa Olímpica sports complex was built.

This scenario has hosted important events such as the National Games (1974 and 1988), the XV Bolivarian Games (2005), the National Interclub Swimming Tournament (2018) and the Pacific Diving Cup (2019). Disciplines such as swimming, diving, water polo, triathlon, apnea and underwater rugby, among others, are practiced under four sports leagues.

The Olympic Village, which also includes the Hernán Ramírez Villegas stadium, skating and cycling schools, the Skate Park and EXPOFUTURO, offers spaces for recreation and sports such as bicycle paths and aerobics on weekends, consolidating itself as an integral center for the sports and cultural development of Pereira.

Anthem Construction by combite Villa Olímpica de Pereira https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=WHP4zCaTSn0

Did you know?
Three of Pereira's most emblematic works exist thanks to the effort and union of its people.
Did you know?
A simple festival forever changed the history of our region
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Deportivo Pereira

Foundation and early years

1944: Deportivo Pereira was created on the initiative of captain Guillermo Gaviria Londoño, uniting two rival teams to avoid conflicts.

1949: Debuted in the professional ranks against Universidad Nacional (1-2). Its first victory was against Atlético Bucaramanga (2-1).

 

Outstanding performances and achievements

1952: Finished in third place in the Dimayor championship, standing out under the direction of Vicente Sánchez.

1978: Champion of the Reserves tournament.

2000: Champion of the Primera B.

2019: Two-time champion of the Aguila Tournament, achieving promotion to the First Division.

2022: Won its first Primera División title by being crowned champion of the BetPlay II League, coached by Alejandro Restrepo.

 

Memorable seasons and difficulties

1982: Led the championship in the first half of the season, but finished fourth.

2003: Historic qualification to the final round of four after beating Nacional in Medellín.

2011: Relegated to the second division, facing a difficult 11-year period in the category.

2021: Runner-up in the BetPlay Cup and saved the category in the league.

 

Internationalization and current events

2023: Debuted in the Copa Libertadores, excelling in group F by beating teams such as Boca Juniors.

Did you know?
Deportivo Pereira was born in 1944 by two rival teams of the city.

Festivities of La Cosecha

The Fiestas de la Cosecha emerged at the end of the 19th century as livestock fairs that brought together farmers and merchants of the region, becoming events of camaraderie and commerce. In the 1920s, the Pereira Council made these festivities official in August, coinciding with the anniversary of the city and the coffee harvest, a symbol of the region. Since then, these celebrations have been key to strengthening the local identity, with cultural activities, carnivals and tributes to the coffee and peasant tradition.

The Sociedad de Mejoras de Pereira played an important role in the promotion of these celebrations, instituting events such as the peasant dance and activities in honor of collectors and chapoleras, symbols of effort and progress. Among the milestones of the festivities were the National Bambuco Contest and the university carnivals, which reflected the cultural pride of the community.

Over time, many of these traditions have disappeared, and although they were celebrated again this year, the original spirit of the festivities, centered on the peasant identity and the coffee heritage, has been diluted.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Did you know?
The César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct was built with the purpose of
Did you know?
The Berlin neighborhood is so named because it was founded in honor of the German capital.
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Did you know that Pereira's airport, unlike many others in Colombia, was not administered by Aerocivil?

In 1947, when the city began to dream big and connect with the world, the people of Pereira took matters into their own hands and created their own airport. The first attempt was a small piece of land in Dosquebradas, where a Douglas DC-4 of the Aerocóndor airline landed, marking the beginning of aviation in the region. But the community was not satisfied, and with the drive that characterizes the inhabitants of this city, they built the Matecaña airport, which for many years was the only airport in the country managed exclusively by its people. Today, although in the hands of a concession, Matecaña remains a symbol of the spirit and autonomy of Pereira, an airport born of collective effort and the city’s desire to fly high.

Did you know that three of Pereira's most emblematic works exist thanks to the effort and union of its people?

The Villa Olimpica, Matecaña International Airport and San Jorge Hospital are much more than infrastructure; they are monuments to the civic spirit that defines this city. At a time when public institutions could not do everything, the women of high society led historic feats, mobilizing the entire community to build the future they dreamed of. These works remind us that Pereira grew, not only with bricks, but with the strength of those who wanted to see it prosper.

Did you know that a simple festival forever changed the history of our region?

When Pereira turned 100 years old, the Sociedad de Mejoras, the Mayor’s Office and several members of the community joined forces to give the city a monumental work: the Bolivar Square, accompanied by the imposing sculpture of the liberator, a symbol that decorates the squares of the main cities of Colombia. Curiously, Pereira is one of the few cities that stands out for this tradition, since in San Juan de Pasto, Nariño, there is no Bolivar Square. This gift not only covered a symbolic need for the city, but also turned Plaza Bolivar into a unique cultural and architectural reference in the country.

Did you know that Deportivo Pereira was born in 1944 by two rival teams of the city?

At that time, two teams (Vidriocol and Otún), rivals in excess, after each match, their sporting prowess ended in brawls. To mitigate the situation, the police commander Hernán Mejía Mejía proposed to unite both teams with their best players. Today, after 80 years, Deportivo Pereira is the emblematic team of our city and has a star in the national championship.

Did you know that the César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct was built for a purpose?

One of Pereira’s most recognized architectural icons is the César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct, which connects Pereira with the neighboring city of Dosquebradas with the purpose of decongesting traffic that, by then, during rush hour, was becoming chaotic. This 704-meter long suspension bridge is not only a feat of Colombian engineering, it is the longest cable-stayed viaduct in the country, and its construction was a symbol of development for the region.

Did you know that the Berlin neighborhood is so named because it was founded in honor of the German capital?

After the internal wars of the Old Continent at the beginning of the century, many European migrants arrived in our country, especially Germans who settled in the nascent city of Pereira and chose this peripheral area to establish their district. Today, in front of the commercial center, there are still a few buildings (houses) of Bavarian architecture.

Have you ever wondered where the first settlers arrived in Pereira?

Although today the center is the heart of the city, those first settlers did not settle there. On the contrary, they settled in what we know today as Condina. However, these lands did not offer the fertility they expected, which led the settlers to move little by little to areas closer to the current center. Thus began the movement that shaped the Pereira we know today.

Have you ever wondered who laid the foundations for the 1886 Constitution?

Mr. Francisco Pereira Martinez was one of the first to leave the first signs of what would become the creation of this important Constitution, which eventually became one of the pillars of our legal history.

¿Sabías que, en el siglo XIX, para fundar una ciudad, se realizaba un acto simbólico muy particular?

En lugar de ceremonias complejas, bastaba con que los fundadores desenvainaran una espada y marcaran una gran X en un árbol, a menudo cortándolo parcialmente. Este sencillo gesto se convertía en el primer hito de la nueva ciudad, dejando así, con una sola marca, el inicio de lo que sería un nuevo asentamiento.

Did you know that Pereira had three foundations throughout its history?

The first occurred in 1540, when Marshal Jorge Robledo, who then held the rank of captain, arrived in these lands and founded the city of Cartago. However, just a year later, in 1541, his superior, Sebastián de Belalcázar, arrived and reported that the city had been poorly founded. This forced the colonizers to make a new foundation.

Finally, on August 30, 1863, with a religious ceremony led by Father Remigio Antonio Cañarte, the city of Pereira, which we know today, was legally founded. This third and final foundation marked the beginning of a new chapter for the city and its inhabitants, consolidating its identity and place in the history of Colombia.

Did you know that the emblematic Plaza de Bolívar did not always bear that name?

In its early years, it was known as Plaza Victoria, a reflection of a time when our identity was still marked by European influences. In fact, the urban design of the city and the layout of its streets were the work of an English architect named Walker, who chose the name “Plaza Victoria” for this central place that would eventually become an icon of our history and culture.