La Torre del Cable: de infraestructura a símbolo

This article explores the historical and heritage trajectory of Tower 20, a unique wooden structure from the former Mariquita–Manizales Cableway system, which today serves as an iconic symbol of Manizales. The research examines its historical, architectural, cultural, and social significance, tracing its evolution from a functional infrastructure component to a National Monument and regional landmark. Using a qualitative approach, we triangulated data from literature reviews, archival sources, semi-structured interviews, and oral history accounts. The findings reveal that its unusual 1919 construction using native timber was a technological adaptation prompted by World War I. Following decades of operation and subsequent neglect, combined academic and civic efforts culminated in its complex documentation, dismantling, relocation, and restoration between 1981 and 1984, preventing its irreversible loss. This rescue process was instrumental in establishing the tower as a ‘place of memory’ and a symbol of local progress and resilience. Ultimately, the Cable Tower represents far more than an industrial relic; it is a living heritage continually reinterpreted by the community—particularly youth—as a central public space, underscoring the social construction of heritage and its dynamic role in shaping contemporary urban identity.