|
|
| Other sites of interest |
| |
 Basilica
of Santa Teresa
This
temple on the corner
of De Palma and Santa
Teresa, where the
Nazarene of San Pablo
is worshipped, is one
of Caracas’ most
venerated sites.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Formerly
the Federal District, the five municipalities
that make up Metropolitan Caracas --namely
Baruta, Chacao, El Hatillo, Libertador and
Sucre-- under the coordination of the Greater
Mayoralty, are now officially called the
Metropolitan District. The city is known for
its dynamic commercial, financial and
industrial life, and little is left of
colonial Caracas, but memories and a few duly
restored and conserved buildings, such as the
red-roofed houses in La Pastora. Deep in the
heart of the city, along the mountainous
segment of the coastal cordillera is El Avila
Hill or El Avila National Park.
|
 |
Access |
 |
|
The
capital of Venezuela can be reached by air and
land. Planes fly into the Simón Bolívar
International Airport in Maiquetía, Vargas
State and the Generalísimo Francisco de
Miranda Air Base at La Carlota. At the same
time, highways lead into the city from the
west (Eastern Guarenas – Petare Highway),
southwest (Central Venezuelan Regional
Highway) and north (La Guaira Highway).
To reach El Ávila, take the old Caracas –
La Guaira Highway, which passes La Guaira Port
on its way to Maiquetía and cuts across the
Park from south to north at its westernmost
end, affording a view of the coast. Boyacá
Avenue, better known as Cota Mil, also leads
into the park. There are a number of
well-marked access routes along paths that
have been duly prepared for climbers, which
are frequented by sport lovers.
|
|
Tourist Attractions |
|
|
 Caracas
Metropolitan District
This
District is the site of the country’s most
important cultural centers, namely the Teresa
Carreño Theater, the National Art Gallery,
the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of
Contemporary Art and the Science Museum. El
Ávila National Park stands guard over the
city majestically, while the Macaro Park lends
its greenery to the area.
|
|
 National
Pantheon
The
National Pantheon, located on the corner of El
Misterio, Panteón Square and Norte Avenue in
Altagracia, is the resting place of the
Liberator, Simón Bolívar, the Founding
Fathers and outstanding Venezuelans who lived
during the period of Independence. The
building is open to the public free of charge
on Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00
noon and from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
|
|
 Caracas
Cathedral
Located facing Bolívar square at the
corner of La Torre, this church was built in
1595, reconstructed and raised to the category
of cathedral in 1637 and rebuilt once again in
1878 after being damaged by an earthquake.
Colonial in style, the cathedral houses
valuable works of art, such as Rubens’
"Resurrection of Christ," Fray
Bartomolé E. Murillo’s "Presentation
of the Virgin," altars, coffering, and
the Bolívar family crypt.
|
|
 El
Avila Hill
Rising to
a height of 2 765 m, el Ávila acts as a
natural wall separating the coast from Caracas’
valleys. Streams meander down its sharp
slopes, frequently breaking out into cascades.
The hill’s function as the city’s lungs
makes compliance with its conservation
regulations absolutely essential.
|
|
 Caracas
Cable Railway
The
Coastal Cordillera located in the Federal
District and Miranda State, along the central
segment of the Caribbean mountain system, was
declared a National Park in 1958. Covering an
area of 85 192 hectares, it reaches its
highest point at Naiguatá Peak and enjoys a
temperature that ranges from 4 to 29°C
depending on the altitude. The cable railway
operates every day of the year, while the park
is open on Monday from 12:00 noon to 9:00
p.m., Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m.
|
|
|
