Aburrá Valley

Spanish conquerors encountered groups there such as the Aburrá, Yamesí, Pequé, Ebejico, Norisco, and Maní—which were in the Valley since about the 5th century.

The Valley’s name stems from previous habitation by the Aburrá, who engaged in agriculture (growing maize, beans, and cotton), textile weaving and decoration, commercialization of salt, and goldsmithing.

The Spaniards gave the name of Valley of Saint Bartholomew that was to be changed for the Aboriginal one of Aburrá that is translated as the "Painters" due to the textile decorations of the natives.

[citation needed] In 1574 Gaspar de Rodas asked to the Antioquia's Cabildo four miles of land to establish herds and food stays in the valley.

The new city was located until the 19th century in what was known as El Sitio de Aná (nowadays the La Candelaria, Medellín|Berrio Square along the Santa Elena Creek and the Medellín River).

During the first part of the 20th century Medellín would start its industrial revolution attracting a great number of farmers from different regions of Antioquia.