Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is a cornerstone of magical realism, weaving a vivid tapestry of fantastical and historical elements. At the heart of this masterpiece is Macondo, a fictional town that becomes a character in its own right, encapsulating the trials and triumphs of the Buendía family.
But how real is Macondo? Can readers of the book and viewers of the Netflix show find it somewhere in Colombia’s lush landscape, or does it exist solely in the imagination of its creator?
Macondo: A Town in the Middle of Nowhere
Macondo is often considered a purely fictional town, yet its inspiration is deeply rooted in García Márquez’s childhood experiences in Aracataca, Colombia. However, a more tangible version of Macondo exists in Alvarado, Tolima, a small municipality roughly four hours by car from Bogotá and accessible by a short plane ride. In this remote region, a real-life replica of Macondo has been painstakingly constructed, bringing the mythical town to life.
“This fictional town was built from scratch to reflect the magical world of Gabriel García Márquez,” explains Estefany and Anllury Collado, creators of “Hablemos de Serie,” a project dedicated to exploring literary and cinematic worlds translated into TV series.
The Décor: A Tribute to the Book
Every element of the recreated Macondo is steeped in references to the novel. Designers and artists turned García Márquez’s evocative prose into physical spaces that evoke the surreal atmosphere of magical realism. From the brightly colored houses to the dusty streets, the décor echoes specific passages, quotes, and scenes from the book.
This attention to detail creates an immersive experience, transporting visitors into the timeless, dreamlike setting that García Márquez described with such poetic precision. “They aimed to capture the essence of magical realism,” the Collado sisters explain, highlighting how even the smallest features were carefully curated.
Everything is Real in Macondo
What makes this replica extraordinary is its authenticity. Unlike typical film sets, which often have hollow facades, Macondo in Tolima is a fully functional town. Visitors can walk the streets, step inside buildings, and explore spaces that seem to vibrate with the life of the Buendía family’s intertwined destinies. “You can enter, walk its streets, and explore every corner. It’s a real town in the heart of Tolima, Colombia,” the Collado sisters emphasize.
The Buendía House: The Heart of the Story
Central to the experience is the Buendía House, the home of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” ‘s central family. Catalina Angulo, the decorator behind this project, and Óscar Tello, the art director, dedicated countless hours to ensuring that every detail within the house reflected the historical and emotional layers of García Márquez’s universe. The spaces within the house brim with artifacts and décor meant to evoke the spirit of the novel, from faded parchments to the ever-turning clockwork of time.
© Netflix“For those who enter, the Buendía House isn’t just a set—it’s a portal into the narrative, an intimate space where fiction and reality blur,” Anllury Collado told HOLA! USA. “The dedication to authenticity creates an environment that feels like García Márquez’s words have leapt from the page and materialized into the world.”
Macondo: Real, Yet Imagined
So, is Macondo real? The answer lies somewhere between the lines of García Márquez’s prose. While the original town is undeniably a product of the author’s imagination, the version in Alvarado, Tolima, offers a chance to step into the world of “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” It is a place where magical realism becomes tangible and the fictional can feel more real than reality.
Laura Mora and Alex García López, directors of the first part of the series, revealed details of the creative process. “It’s about living up to something that will always be bigger than all of us. We worked hard to build that particularity that has a distinct quality that embodies the Caribbean and encompasses the tropics,” says Laura Mora.
© Mauro González / Netflix“We accomplished something I believe has never been done in Latin America, something that isn’t just for Colombia or Latin America but for the whole world,” says Alex García Lopez.
In this sense, Macondo is both real and imagined, existing as a bridge between the physical world and the boundless landscapes of the human imagination. Whether you visit the replica or revisit the pages of the novel, Macondo continues to thrive as a symbol of García Márquez’s genius and the enduring allure of magical realism.