Valencia Landmarks and Monuments

(Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela)

Valencia has an impressive little selection of historic and cultural landmarks that will give you a good sense of where this city came from and what it is all about.

The colonial-era downtown district around the Plaza Bolivar has been lovingly restored, offering a wonderful place to safely walk around during the day and admire the old buildings and houses. Sights like the Municipal Theatre (Teatro Municipal) and the Cathedral (Catedral) are especially stately elegant buildings that combine to give Valencia its pleasant Latin American atmosphere.

Capitol Building (Capitolio)

Address: Avenida 99 Urdaneta, Valencia, Venezuela, VE
This beautifully restored colonial complex is the heart of Valencia's downtown revival movement. Located close to the Plaza Bolivar, the Capitol was built between 1768 and 1874 to serve as a convent for Carmelites. Today, this bright-white building is the seat of government for the region and occupies around half of its block. The chapel is a highlight, with its original art work of Simon Bolivar and other national Venezuelan heroes. You can take a guided tour if your Spanish is up to snuff. Otherwise, just wander around and soak up the ambience.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Cathedral (Catedral)

Address: Plaza Bolivar, Avenida 99 Urdaneta, Valencia, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 0241 857 0979
The construction of this stately landmark began in 1580, and the city's cathedral has undergone several renovations during its long history, with much renovation work taking place in the middle of the 20th century. Anchoring the downtown district of Valencia and rather dominating the Plaza Boliva, the cathedral is an eye-catching structure with many wonderful carvings, including a famous figurine depicting the Nuestra Senora del Socorro. A number of important works of art are housed inside the cathedral, with two masterpieces by Antonio Herrera Toro. The original altar is another impressive component of this building.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 06:30 to 11:30, 15:00 to 20:00, Sunday 06:30 to 14:00, 15:00 to 20:30
Admission: free

Municipal Theatre (Teatro Municipal)

Address: Calle 100 Colombia, Valencia, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 0241 857 4276
This lovely theatre is a major architectural attraction in Valencia. Built in 1879, the Teatro Municipal was modelled exactly after the Paris opera house, with an elaborate facade and no expense spared inside. The ceiling features a series of glittering chandeliers, which gently light up the 647 seats beneath. When it first opened, the theatre became an instant source of pride for Venezuela, boasting paintings by Antonio Herrera Toro on the ceiling itself. In 1964, it was declared a National Monument and is currently one of the largest structures of its kind in Venezuela. It may be possible to explore the interior by day, by entering through the back door on the Calle Libertad.
Open hours: daily, hours vary according to performance
Admission: charge

Barbula University of Carabobo (Barbula Universidad de Carabobo - UC)

Address: Avenida Alejo Zuloaga / Avenida Salvador Allende / Avenida Intercomunal de Barbula, Valencia, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 0241 600 4000
Residing on the northern side of the city, the campus of the state university can be reached by taking the Autopista Puerto Cabello road. Originating as the College of Carabobo in 1833, the institution steadily grew in size and stature, with the university being officially founded in 1892 and now home to more than 50,000 students. The Universidad de Carabobo is amongst Venezuela's largest and comprises the faculties of dentistry, economic and social sciences, education sciences, engineering, experimental sciences and technology, health sciences, and law and political sciences. There is also a further branch of the university located in Maracay.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Bullring (Plaza de Toros Monumental de Valencia)

Address: Parque Recreacional del Sur, Valencia, Venezuela, VE
An enormous bullring located within the Recreation Park of South Valencia (Parque Recreacional del Sur Valencia), near to the Plaza de Toros Mexico and the Estacion Monumental metro station, the Plaza de Toros Monumental is the second-biggest in the whole of Latin America, after only Mexico City, and dates back to the late 1960s. The bullring is capable of accommodating just over 25,000 seated spectators and although its traditional bullfighting may not be to everyone's taste, the ring also stages open-air concerts and various seasonal city events.
Open hours: hours vary according to event
Admission: charge