Outdoor art Cali, Colombia
Gato de Tejada
El Gato del Río (Gato de Tejada), the bronze cat sculpture Hernando Tejada gave Cali in 1996, turns a walk along the Cali River into an encounter with art, surrounded by the companion cats of the Parque de los Gatos (Cat Park).
Your visit at a glance
CaliSucursal’s suggested time excludes travel to and from the site.
- Suggested time
- 20–40 min to see the Cat and walk around the companion sculptures.
- Cost and entry
- Free outdoor walk through the public sculpture park.
- Hours or availability
- The park has no published hours; check city notices for temporary closures.
- Mobility and accessibility
- The walk runs through the riverside park. Gradients, surfaces and step-free access are unconfirmed.
A stop worth discovering
Discover Gato de Tejada
Donated by artist Hernando Tejada and inaugurated in 1996, the sculpture known as El Gato del Río (Gato de Tejada) gave this riverside space in western Cali, now the Parque de los Gatos, a recognizable artistic landmark. The cat invites you to pause, observe its forms and get closer to a work that is part of the local identity.
The walk continues among the female cat sculptures that accompany the monument, added as part of an initiative to restore the area. Their different interpretations give you reasons to explore the park at a slower pace. Plan your visit as an outdoor art stop while exploring the west of the city.
- Hernando Tejada’s sculpture
- The companion cat sculptures
- A walk along the riverbank
Travel notebook
Stories for the road
History
A 3.5-meter bronze cat
Hernando Tejada donated the work to be cast at a monumental scale. It was unveiled in 1996 as part of a project to restore the Cali River’s banks.
Read the source (opens in a new tab)What to look for
The other cats have their own style
After seeing the Gato, follow the path and compare the sculptures around it. Each gives the same feline shape its own colors and details.
Visiting tip
Walk around the Gato before moving on
Try looking at it from the side and from behind. The curve of the tail and the silhouette of the ears change with the angle, and the trees give you a different backdrop on each side.
Before you go
This is an outdoor visit. Choose comfortable shoes and check the weather so you can also enjoy walking around the sculptures.
