Cannúa is a high-end ecological guesthouse, the first in the world built with compacted earth bricks.
Located in the heart of the Colombian Andes, 40 minutes from Medellín airport, Cannúa is the country’s first high-end, sustainable and responsible eco-lodge. It was designed based on permaculture principles, filled with organic gardens and sophisticated restaurants.
Immersed in the incredible biodiversity of Colombia, the guesthouse has 18 rooms, including 6 Cabañas and 2 Junior Suites, as well as a spa, a bar and a restaurant considered one of the best in the country.
Pioneer in sustainable construction
This is the first hotel in the world built with compacted earth bricks. A team of engineers was assembled to develop a modern technique – based on ancient processes of the region – to build the guesthouse in a sustainable way.
The bricks were shaped and sun-baked on site, saving the need for 1,000 trucks and other heavy machinery. The hotel’s earth brick construction is energy efficient, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, nearly eliminating the need for heating and cooling. Other sustainable attributes include the exclusive use of rainwater in hotel management and growing food with kitchen fertilizers.
Founded on the principles of permaculture
The restaurant focuses on reclaiming the lost flavors of Colombia. The chefs walk around the property every day collecting ingredients from the the hotel’s organic gardensas well as non-traditional edible plants which bring surprising flavors.
The team is creating almost 8 thousand m² of organic gardens and food forests. Guests can enjoy touring the gardens, learning about permaculture principles, and teaching about the rainforest.
Reforestation for carbon neutrality
The hotel is actively reforesting its land using permaculture, chemical-free, with the aim of helping regenerate natural ecosystems and becoming carbon negative. Antioquia, the area where Cannúa is located, is one of the areas with the greatest ornithological biodiversity on the planet, with many endemic species of birds, trees and amphibians that can only be found there.
Three-quarters of the Cannúa property is designated as protected forest, and 100 species of birds live on the property. Pre-Hispanic trails have been preserved throughout the property. Built by indigenous people hundreds of years ago as a trade route and later used by prominent Spanish aristocrats and soldiers, guests can take guided walks to learn about this history and visit a nearby town.
Promote sustainable communities
The lodge is located in a fertile area of the Andes, and while most locals farm their own land, they generally sell their crops wholesale and live on a diet of processed foods. The Cannúa hotel team is working with the surrounding rural population to educate them about sustainable permaculture methods to improve the communities and natural landscape around the lodge.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
