The bronze cat
Cali's symbol.
C arango — Public domain · Burkhard Mücke — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Reg Natarajan — CC BY 2.0 · Javadumper — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gersonparra11 — CC BY-SA 3.0
A huge bronze statue of a cat sitting on the bank of the Cali River, by Colombian artist Hernando Tejada and given to the city in the 1990s, over three metres tall and weighing tonnes, with a calm, wry look that makes people smile. It has become a beloved symbol of Cali. Around the cat, along the river walk, stand dozens of statues of female cats called «the cat's girlfriends», designed and painted by different artists in varied styles, some covered in flowers, some in folk motifs, turning a riverside stroll into an open-air gallery. The walk is green and quiet under big trees, passing hotels, restaurants and La Tertulia modern art museum. People love photos with the cat and hunting for their favourite among his companions. It is free and family-friendly by day, usually paired with nearby San Antonio. Watch your belongings in quiet spots.
Cali's symbol.
Painted statues.
Trees and shade.
Cali River walk, north-west of the centre near the Normandía district
Statues of female cats along the river walk around the cat, designed and painted by various artists, making the walk an open-air gallery.
