Maracaibo Museums and Art Galleries

(Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela)

Maracaibo has several interesting museums, most of which are art galleries with works past and present. The main venue is known by its acronym, MACZUL (Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia), and is one of the largest museums in Latin America and the biggest in Venezuela. The MACZUL has many fine art exhibitions of national and international interest, covering several thousand square metres next to the University of Zulia, with its public hall boasting five huge galleries.

There is also a gallery dedicated to modern art - the Maracaibo Modern Art Museum, while the Lia Bermudez Art Centre is the place to come for fine arts. To learn some history about the city and of the bridge, the Conoce Tu Puente Museum is fun and interesting. The main gallery here is revealing and the evening views over the Maracaibo Bridge are quite sublime.

Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo del Zulia - MACZUL)

Address: Avenida Universidad, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 261 759 4866
The Maracaibo Modern Art Museum is the leading gallery for contemporary art in the city. It has a stunning, permanent collection and also features decent rotating exhibitions, along with workshops and films. The gallery is situated just a short distance to the north of the city centre, along University Avenue, and boasts particularly large and spacious exhibition halls. There are three parts to the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo del Zulia - the public, administrative and technique areas.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Lis Bermudez Fine Arts Centre (Centro de Arte de Maracaibo Lia Bermudez)

Address: Plaza Baralt, Avenida Libertador, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 261 723 1428
The Lis Bermudez Fine Arts Centre reveals all on the natural heritage and culture of Zulia state, being sited within the refurbished market building of the Mercado Principal, on the Plaza Baralt. This gallery includes a decent collection of modern art and has popular changing exhibits. Also included here is a look at theatre, music and film, while there is a cafe and shop onsite as well.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: free

Lake Bridge Museum (Conoce Tu Museo Puente)

Address: Avenida Libertador, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 261 723 1428
The Conoce Tu Museo Puente offers up history of the city and the Lake Bridge, along with fine lakeside panoramas. This is one of Maracaibo's oldest museums and comes with many intriguing displays of art and history. Even if you are not into these things, the views over the bridge are nothing short of fantastic and more than worthy of a photograph or two.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Urdaneta Museum (Museo Urdaneta)

Address: Calle 91a 7 - 70, Maracaibo, Venezuela, VE
The Museo Urdaneta lies on the northern side of the city centre and is dedicated to Rafael José Urdaneta y Faria (1788 to 1845), who is better known as General Rafael Urdaneta and was born in this city, on this very spot. A famous hero known for his role in the Spanish American Wars of Independence, the general served as both the Minister of War and the Secretary of the Military. The museum contains much paraphernalia relating to Urdaneta's life and political career, with many documents and paintings from this period.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 15:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: free