The Junín Passage is one of the most iconic pedestrian streets in Medellín’s downtown area. It earned its fame as the favorite boulevard of the city’s elite in the mid-20th century, who came here to shop, have lunch, or enjoy what we in Antioquia call “el algo”—a light meal between lunch and dinner, usually accompanied by coffee, pastries, and other baked goods.

During its golden age, Junín was home to exclusive clubs, bookstores, cafés, clothing stores, and jewelry shops, making it the city’s most fashionable area. It was also the setting for youthful romances, groups of friends hanging out after a movie, and families strolling after taking the kids to a matinee. This social activity even inspired the term “juniniar”, which meant spending time enjoying all those activities on Junín.

At its peak, Junín was home to landmarks such as the Hotel Europa, the Junín Theater, the Unión Club, the Nueva Bookstore, the Versalles Salon (famous for hosting renowned writers like Jorge Luis Borges, Manuel Mejía Vallejo, and Gonzalo Arango), and the Astor Patisserie.

Today, Versalles and Astor still stand, and while Junín may no longer represent the exclusivity it once did, it remains a vital part of Medellín’s history. Between its shops, storefronts, and a few iconic sites that have withstood the test of time, visitors can still “juniniar” while connecting with an important piece of the city’s cultural memory.