Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe

This flamboyant black-and-white striped building on Botero Plaza is one of Medellín's most photographed landmarks, designed by Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts in a Gothic-Flemish revival style. Begun in 1925 as the departmental government palace, it now serves as a cultural centre with exhibition halls, an archive and a distinctive octagonal patio. The alternating light stone and dark brick bands and pointed pinnacles give it an almost fairy-tale silhouette. It faces the Museo de Antioquia across the square of Botero sculptures.