Medellín - Iglesia de Santiago

Today, Medellin is a city with around 2000 inhabitants. Roman Metellinum was founded by the consul Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius around 79 BC. In honour of its founder it received its first name, Metellinum.

The Visigoths (around 570-768) and the Moors (768-1234) have also left their mark.

Medellín is the birthplace of Hernán Cortés (1485-1547), the conquistador of the Aztec empire. One of Cortés' comrades-in-arms, Gonzalo de Sandoval (1497-1527), was also born in Medellín.

Under Christian rule, Medellín must have seen a considerable increase in population, as evidenced by the existence of two parishes, Santiago and San Martín.

The church of Santiago, located near to the castle, now houses the "Centro Museografico" and displays the start of archaeological work at the Roman Theatre.