Archaeological research within the La Morena ecological reserve has unearthed evidence of pre-Hispanic settlements dating back over 10,000 years. These ancient inhabitants were predominantly hunter-gatherers, thriving off the river and forest resources of the Medellín-Porce river basin for nearly 6,000 years. They were early cultivators, relying both on wild and domesticated plants. Their history provides a glimpse into the onset and progression of agriculture in northern South America. Later on, more advanced societies emerged in the region, displaying advanced agriculture, settled village life, and intricate pottery and burial customs. Envigado’s early days saw it populated by the Nutabe tribe, with significant settlements in the Palenque area. However, by 1541, the Spanish, led by Jerónimo Luis Tejelo under Jorge Robledo’s command, began colonizing the region. Captain Álvaro de Mendoza, another of Robledo’s men, described the valley as breathtaking, with a native town to the south, which we now recognize as Sabaneta and Caldas. While these early Spanish expeditions primarily sought the legendary city of gold, El Dorado, their first foray into the Aburrá valley was within Envigado’s boundaries. In 1547, Gaspar de Rodas, the province’s last governor, sought a land grant in the valley near present-day Envigado. By the time the Pedroso faction arrived in the valley four years later, it was predominantly inhabited by indigenous tribes. It wasn’t until settlers from the Villa de La Candelaria in Medellín turned their attention to this area that the name “Envigado” came to be. By the 1630s, several towns dotted the valley landscape, with Envigado’s first chapel constructed in 1750. The town’s formal establishment came in 1775 with the creation of the Parish of Santa Gertrudis. From its inception, Envigado’s fate was intertwined with Medellín’s, although it always retained a distinct identity. Over time, large estates formed the backbone of the region, occupied by wealthy landowners who often intermarried with less affluent Spanish settlers. Official documents from 1743 onwards referenced Envigado. The region’s etymology might be linked to its provision of wood, particularly “long perfect trunks” or beams. The late 18th century marked urban development in Envigado with the establishment of the Santa Gertrudis Parish and the demarcation of the first streets. By 1814, under Juan Del Corral’s rule, it attained municipal status. The 20th century heralded modernization for Envigado with infrastructure projects like aqueducts and the Manuel Uribe Ángel Hospital. The town also experienced the painful legacy of drug trade, most notably linked to the infamous Pablo Escobar. In 2016, following a public consultation, Envigado joined the Aburrá Valley Metropolitan Area, aligning with nine other regional municipalities.