Maracaibo Landmarks and Monuments

(Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela)

As one of Venezuela's largest cities, Maracaibo has a diverse range of landmarks and sights. These range from the lake and parks, to standout public squares and historic churches, such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquira (Basilica de Chiquinquira). Lake Maracaibo is a major attraction and is pretty much unmissable, being best seen from the bridge.

The bridge over Lake Maracaibo is huge and can be done by bicycle - it goes from the southern end of the city and links up with the rest of the country. The city's top landmarks are around the Plaza Bolivar and include churches, cathedrals and palaces, while the Plaza de la Virgen de Chiquinquira y Todos los Santos is another prominent square.

Bolivar Square (Plaza Bolivar)

Address: Plaza Bolivar, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 261 718 6013
As with every major city in Venezuela, Maracaibo has a Bolivar Square, which sits right in the heart of the city and is bounded on its western axis by the Paseo de las Ciencias. The plaza has the standard statue of Simon Bolivar and is surrounded by some of the city's most impressive buildings and architectural attractions. These include the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquira and the 19th-century Maracaibo Cathedral, along with the Baralt Theatre (Teatro Baralt), the Casa Morales (Casa de la Capitulacion), and the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), which is also often referred to as the Palace of the Eagles (Palacio de las Aguilas).
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquira (Basilica de Chiquinquira)

Address: Paseo de las Ciencias, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
The city's most recognisable landmark, the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquira can be found near the Avenida 15 Las Delicias, being located on the far westerly side of the Paseo de las Ciencas. It represents the patron saint of Zulia, the Virgin of Chiquinquira (La Chinita), and is a stunning, well-maintained temple in the heart of the city. The best time to visit is over Easter for the festivities, while the November celebrations are also popular, with the arrival of many pilgrims.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Plaza of the Virgin of Chiquinquira and All Saints (Plaza de la Virgen de Chiquinquira y Todos los Santos)

Address: Plaza de la Virgen de Chiquinquira y Todos los Santos, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
The Plaza de la Virgen de Chiquinquira y Todos los Santos is a quiet park right in the city centre. Located in front of the Basilica, the plaza has the Our Lady of Chiquinquira statue as a focal point. The park is an otherwise haven of serenity amid the bustle of daily life and comes with some pleasant areas to sit and partake of people-watching.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Cathedral (Catedral de Maracaibo)

Address: Corner Avenida 4 / Calle 95, Plaza Bolivar, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 261 722 5640
Maracaibo Cathedral is to be found dominating the Plaza Bolivar, in the centre of the downtown district, and can be enjoyed as part of a joint-tour of the Basilica. Built between the years of 1585 and 1650, the cathedral is highly venerated and is home to the famous Black Christ of Gibraltar (Cristo de Gibraltar / Cristo Negro) statue. The statue itself was believed to have hung in a church within the Venezuelan town of Gibraltar until it was burnt down by angry locals at the turn of the 17th century. Despite the fire damage to the church, the statue somehow managed to remain quite untouched by the flames.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, donations welcomed

Santa Barbara Church / Temple of the Immaculate Conception Church (Iglesia de Santa Barbara / Templo de la Inmaculada)

Address: Corner Avenida 8 / Calle 95, Paseo de las Ciencas, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
Presiding over the Paseo de las Ciencas, the Iglesia de Santa Barbara is one of the few remaining old buildings within this attractive greenbelt. The chapel dates back to the 1580s and for many years there was a major dispute about its ownership, between the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception and Brotherhood of Santa Barbara, which was finally resolved in 1808. In the 1860s, the church was rebuilt and is particularly easy to spot, since its distinctive architecture is bright blue in colour, with the main features edged in white.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Casa Morales (Casa de la Capitulacion)

Address: Plaza Bolivar, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 261 725 1194
The late 18th-century Casa de la Capitulacion also goes by the name of the Casa Morales and stands alongside the Palacio de Gobierno. It was in this building where the Spaniards signed the historic Act of Capitulation in 1823, following their defeat at the battle of Lago de Maracaibo, which resulted in the independence of Gran Colombia. This landmark is actually the city's only remaining colonial structure of its kind and over the years, the Casa de la Capitulacion has seen much renovation work. Today, the walls are decorated with paintings depicting some of the most prominent figures from the War of Independence.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 18:00
Admission: free