In the 1960's families displaced by Colombia's internal war started populating Moravia. To discourage further informal settlement the government decided to turn Moravia into Medellin's municipal landfill.  Eventually stretching 30 metres high and 7 hectares wide the mountain of rubbish didn't deter new settlers instead it attracted more people lured by the option to scavenge for food and make money through recycling. It also became a popular dumping place for bodies during the height of the drug trafficking period.

By 1983 over 15,000 residents were living in Moravia which had become the most populated zone in Medellin. The living conditions were not only atrocious but downright dangerous. The smell and toxic fumes lead to serious health conditions and several fires broke out leading to the eventual closure of the dump in 1984. In 2004 a plan was finally conceived for the neighborhood starting with the relocating of 800 families who were living on top of the mountain. The government then planted over 50,000 trees and shrubs making it the largest garden in Medellin.

In 2008 the Moravia community centre was built, one of the most important cultural centres in Medellin, run by the community for the community.  Today Moravia is a thriving community that prides itself on its history and sense of belonging.

A lot is said about Medellin's transformation and no where is it more evident than in the barrios of Comuna 13 and in Moravia, both featured in Toucan Tours's tours.