Updated August 14, 2026 at 10:02 p.m. Colombia time
Beyond homes and services, the earthquake is also affecting monuments, historic centres and living practices. An initial inventory attributed to the Culture Ministry outlines the damage without yet putting a cost on repairs.
Forty national cultural-interest assets
According to the ministry’s initial assessment as reported by Caracol Radio, 40 national cultural-interest assets are affected across Antioquia, Cauca, Chocó, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and Valle del Cauca: 22 with high impact, thirteen medium and five low.
Twelve historic centres and 84 other assets
Twelve of the fifteen historic centres in the area are reported affected: Abejorral, Jardín, Jericó, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Popayán’s old sector, Manizales, Aguadas, Salamina and the old sectors of Buga, Cali, Cartago and El Cerrito.
The same assessment mentions 84 movable or immovable assets with heritage value but no official designation, including 39 religious spaces across nine departments.
Eight forms of intangible heritage affected
The inventory cites viche knowledge; Cali’s sugar macetas tradition; Afro-descendant gualíes, alabaos and funeral rites; Afro-Pacific midwifery knowledge; Cali salsa; traditional cuisines; artisanal fishing on the Magdalena; and the Riosucio Carnival.
Pressure on the Coffee Cultural Landscape
Across this 51-municipality area, Caracol reports severe damage in more than 60% of urban centres and up to 80% near the epicentre, including Sevilla, El Cairo and El Águila. The ministry is preparing an assessment method and a resolution to speed local repairs, with no published budget or timetable.