On the southern edge of the colonial sector is the tree-shaded Plaza Miranda. Positioned at the halfway point between the cathedral and the cemetery, it was once known as the Plaza Descanso (rest), because funeral pallbearers would stop to break here along the way to burials. A sizable building on its eastern side was constructed in 1870 as a hospital, but it never served that purpose. It has had a bizarre list of tenants instead, having been used as a prefecture, theatre, army barracks and police station. Eventually it opened in 1992 as the Centro de las Artes and stages temporary exhibitions of modern art, though it was being given a renovation on our last visit and should reopen again in 2010.
Centro de las Artes
Venezuela
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.22 MILES
On the northern side of the plaza is the Casa Piar, where General Manuel Piar was kept prisoner in October 1817 before being positioned against the…
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1.39 MILES
If you’re passing through the city’s airport, don’t miss the Río Caroní airplane, conveniently parked in front of the terminal building. This is the part…
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0.3 MILES
The Casa del Correo del Orinoco – an example of impressive colonial architecture – houses the Museo de Ciudad Bolívar, a hodgepodge of modern art and…
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Casa del Congreso de Angostura
0.2 MILES
The brash pink Casa del Congreso de Angostura dominates the western side of the plaza. Built in the 1770s, in 1819 it was home to lengthy debates by the…
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0.28 MILES
The Fortín El Zamuro is a small fort built in the late 18th century atop the highest hill in the city, just south of the colonial quarter. It provides…
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0.41 MILES
One of the city’s most impressive sights is the gigantic Monumento a Simón Bolívar. Erected in 1999, this 10m-high bronze statue is by far the tallest…
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Museo de Arte Moderno Jesús Soto
1.23 MILES
This excellent museum has an extensive collection of kinetic works by internationally renowned artist, Jesús Soto, as well as temporary exhibits. It's in…
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0.33 MILES
The Antigua Cárcel is a restored 18th-century prison building that functioned as a jail until 1952 and now contains the Bolívar state culture offices.
Nearby Venezuela attractions
0.13 MILES
A pair of fine old buildings on both sides of the street, connected by the graceful arch of an aerial walkway.
0.19 MILES
Ciudad Bolívar's magnificent cathedral dates from 1790 and dominates the Plaza Bolívar with its yellow and white painted facade and attractive interior.
3. Casa del Congreso de Angostura
0.2 MILES
The brash pink Casa del Congreso de Angostura dominates the western side of the plaza. Built in the 1770s, in 1819 it was home to lengthy debates by the…
0.22 MILES
On the northern side of the plaza is the Casa Piar, where General Manuel Piar was kept prisoner in October 1817 before being positioned against the…
0.28 MILES
The Fortín El Zamuro is a small fort built in the late 18th century atop the highest hill in the city, just south of the colonial quarter. It provides…
0.3 MILES
The Casa del Correo del Orinoco – an example of impressive colonial architecture – houses the Museo de Ciudad Bolívar, a hodgepodge of modern art and…
0.33 MILES
The Antigua Cárcel is a restored 18th-century prison building that functioned as a jail until 1952 and now contains the Bolívar state culture offices.
8. Jardín Botánico del Orinoco
0.38 MILES
Ciudad Bolívar's expansive botanical gardens contain a huge collection of tropical plants, flowers and trees.