Have you ever wondered where cities are born? Until not long ago, neither had I. In fact, I had never even stopped to consider the possibility that cities are created from a single point that expands and shapes what the new urban space will become. That is something truly incredible, you know? San Blas is now a district (parish) of the city of Valencia. But if we turn back the clock about 470 years, we can witness a place that once housed the residences of the local aristocracy of the time. It was the wealthy area, the affluent and culturally most important zone of the entire city of Valencia, in Venezuela.
Spain did not come to America only to conquer and expand its territory in what was considered “no man’s land.” No. It put down roots, in the literal sense of the expression. The church that gives life to the San Blas area is older than the United States of America and stands as one of the clearest signs of the connection between what we were during the colonial era and what we continue to preserve today. I am not saying that I personally follow the traditions that are commonly observed in this Valencian district, but it is undeniable that part of our idiosyncrasy, of our culture as a country, is still alive in this place. Catholicism, traditions, gatherings of elders who teach children the culture and history of the ground they walk on, even the language itself is decidedly different from that of the rest of the city.
San Blas is a place that has chosen to preserve its colonial heritage while combining it with a republican identity. It offers good food, and sweets that can make even the least enthusiastic sigh for these kinds of pleasures. The climate is slightly cooler, as it borders nearby hills that act as a curtain of fresh air for the entire area, while also providing a poetic and beautiful view. The city of Valencia once had its main entrance in this zone centuries ago. The Liberator Simón Bolívar used it, as did the inhabitants in general. It contains places that are centuries older than entire countries. For reasons of fate, no one seems particularly interested, and it is only in this area, San Blas, where there is insistence on safeguarding the history, culture, and importance of everything that surrounds it.
Being a witness to this, to how I myself, a resident of the state, was unaware of so much of what I saw every day… I walked these streets a million times and never stopped to perceive why the people of San Blas, which is little more than an important town, feel such powerful pride in belonging to this place. I will not overlook the fact that there are places that seem forgotten by the inexorable passage of time, and their façades clearly show that wear. However, its music, the people playing traditional Venezuelan games right in the street, in the shade of gigantic trees, and with a kindness that is deeply moving, make this brief walk through its streets a beautiful learning experience. To my own surprise, there is a tour on Instagram that can be booked to discover even more mythical places, known only by the locals. I like knowing that there are places in the city that I still need to keep discovering, learning more deeply about, and showing to you.
