Archivo Histórico de Antioquia AHA

History and Founding

The Archivo Histórico de Antioquia (AHA) was formally established in 1956 when Governor Pioquinto Rengifo, through Decree 136, ordered the separation of historical documents from the general administrative archive of the Gobernación de Antioquia. The institution's documentary roots, however, stretch to 1584, when the villa of Santafé de Antioquia became the provincial capital and systematic record-keeping began. Following Medellín becoming the provincial capital in 1826, most of these colonial documents were transferred there. In 1986, Decree 1024 moved the archive to its current location in the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe. Since 2010, the archive has been administered by the Dirección de Gestión Documental of the Secretaría General de the Gobernación de Antioquia.

Collections and Holdings

The AHA is considered the second most important archive in Colombia and one of the most significant in Latin America. Its documentary patrimony spans from 1565 to 2019, amounting to approximately 52 linear kilometers of documents. Major funds include: the Gobernación de Antioquia fund (colonial through independence era, and into the 20th century); the Ferrocarril de Antioquia fund (1874–1962, roughly 263 linear meters); the Escribanos fund (notarial records from Medellín, 1676–1852); and colonial-era Reales Cédulas (1559–1810). The archive contains approximately 72 colonial-era funds.

Notable Materials Related to Media

The Ferrocarril de Antioquia fund documents the history of transport infrastructure with its associated press and advertising materials. The colonial and independence-era press records provide important context for the history of communication in the region.

Access and Usage

The archive operates in the basement and first floor of the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe. It offers consultation services, guided tours, and document reproduction. The facility was retrofitted with international archival standards, including solar filters, air conditioning, smoke alarms, waterproofing, reinforced floors, surveillance cameras, and a consultation room with computer connections. Hours are Monday 10:00–16:45 and Tuesday through Friday 8:00–16:45.