Caracas, as a capital, is a very diverse city, as it has a large number of parks, squares, modern and colonial architecture, churches, promenades, boulevards, shopping centers, etc. In this way, it offers Caracas residents and tourists the best of its culture and services.
Symbols
- Coat of arms: The coat of arms was formally awarded in 1591 and presents the lion as an emblematic figure of Caracas, based on the “royal cedula” (decree of the king) of Felipe II, who granted it at the request of the Attorney General, in the following terms: “On a silver field a brown-colored lion, standing, holding in its arms a gold scallop with the Red Cross of Santiago, and a five-pointed gold crown for stamping.” Through a “royal decree” (decree of the king) granted by Carlos III the 13 of March of 1766, the Coat of Arms of Caracas, it would take a border with a Latin inscription on formalizes Virgin Mary as a noble gesture to the shield of the city, with the words: Hail Mary Most Holy, sinless conceived in the first instant of her natural being. The original request (“Hail Mary Most Holy of conceived sinless light”) sparked a controversy about whether or not it should be placed on the border of the banner, which concluded with the decision of the King, who deleted the word Light, incorporating “in the first instant of his natural being ».
- Flag: presents the shield centered on a rectangular blood-red flag, which commemorates the blood of the people of Caracas spilled in the independence periods.
- Hymn: Called March to Caracas, it was composed by Tiero Pezzuti de Matteis, with lyrics by José Enrique Chelique Sarabia, in accordance with the agreement approved by the Municipal Chamber on March 28, 1984, where the score and lyrics are added as an integral part of this ordinance. The lyrics of the song to the city are inspired by the example of Caracas, having taken the first step towards Venezuelan emancipation.
- Other symbols: The lion is the official animal of the city that is also represented in the coat of arms. An unofficial symbol of the city is Parque El Ávila, known colloquially as El Ávila or Cerro El Ávila, a mountain range that borders the north of the capital, separating it from the Caribbean Sea, an immense natural lung and a must for all Caracas residents, since it is visible from practically every point in the city. The most emblematic typical dish of Caracas is the black roast.
Landmarks
According to watchtutorials, Caracas is a city that has a history that is revealed in its buildings. Mainly this is because most of its monuments, buildings and important sites are from bygone eras that have been maintained over time. Large number of museums, both scientific, artistic, historical and especially dedicated to children; they are mixed with buildings full of history that are the headquarters of the public administration; and that contrast with the modernism of the cable car or the Las Mercedes urbanization.
- Simón Bolívar’s Birthplace
- La Candelaria
- The Mercedes
- Boulevard of Sabana Grande
- Caracas cable car
- France Square
- Venezuela Square
- The Ibrahim Al-lbrahim Mosque
- Athenaeum of Caracas
- National Cinematheque
- Teresa Carreño Theater
- National Art Gallery
- Museum of Contemporary Art of Caracas Sofía Ímber
- Jacobo Borges Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Municipal theater
- National theater
- Petare Folk Art Museum
- La Estancia Art Center
- Alejandro Otero Museum
- Audiovisual Museum
- Museum of Print and Design Carlos Cruz Diez
- Guillermo José Schael Transport Museum
- Keyboard Museum
- Sacred Museum of Caracas
- Kid’s museum
- Museum of Natural Sciences
- city Hall
- Miraflores Palace
- Yellow house
- Los Próceres Walk
Plazas
- Plaza Bolívar de Caracas: the largest square in all of Caracas, located in the Central Quarter of the city, in it a tribute is paid to the Liberator; around it are the Caracas Cathedral, the Municipal Palace and the Sacred Museum.
- Plaza Venezuela: it is a modern pedestrian walkway and road distributor that houses several monuments, including a fountain and some sculptures, as well as an important business area due to the office towers that are there.
- O’Leary Square: located in the El Silencio urbanization, in the heart of the city, which has two Las Toninas fountains, by Francisco Narváez.
- Plaza Francia: considered the most touristic square in the capital city, it has an imposing obelisk and beautiful gardens.
- Plaza Alfredo Sadel: this is one of the most important squares in the Caracas city, named in honor of the Venezuelan singer and lyricist Alfredo Sánchez Luna, it has a modern and imposing infrastructure.
- Plaza Bolívar de El Hatillo: it is the most popular place for tourists in the town of El Hatillo, it has a very quiet and pleasant atmosphere, in the center of the square there is a statue of the Liberator, in which he is represented standing and looking towards the Church of Santa Rosalía de Palermo.
- Plaza Bolívar de Chacao: the main square of the Chacao municipality, surrounded by the mayor’s office and the Cathedral of said town.
- Plaza La Pastora: represents an important historical reference, located in the central area of La Pastora, a town that has a long tradition within the Caracas
- Plaza de San Jacinto: better known as Plaza El Venezolano, it is a square located in the Historic Center of the city, the square has a central turret, nearby is Cuadra Bolívar, with cobbled sidewalks, in the style of the colony.
- Plaza Juan Pedro López: located behind the headquarters of the Central Bank of Venezuela, it was inaugurated in 1997 and since then it is the largest square in the city. It also has an amphitheater and a public library.
- Boulevard de Sabana Grande: it is a populous Caracas promenade, along its route there are different shops and businesses when it reaches the end of the boulevard in the Chacaito sector, some kinetic sculptures are located.
Parks
Caracas has a large number of parks, which are beautiful oases within the concrete jungle. Walking, picnicking, practicing sports and learning more about nature are some of the activities that Caracas people commonly do in these places. These are some of the natural beauties that you must visit:
- Botanical Garden of Caracas
- Caricuao Zoo
- El Pinar Zoo
- Los Caobos Park
- Los Chorros Park
- Jóvito Villalba Recreation Park
- Macarao National Park
- El Ávila National Park
- Romulo Betancourt Park (East Park)
