Bolivarian Historical Museum of Caracas - Cultural and historical journey [Eng][Esp]

Strolling through the capital of Venezuela, where its wide and carefully paved streets open the way to a colonial Caracas whose buildings allow us to let our imagination fly to an era very different from the present time; on our way, nothing better than a museum to reveal art, customs, traditions, personal objects, weapons of the time, among others.

On this occasion, I would like to introduce you to the Bolivarian Museum of Caracas, located between the corners of Traposo and San Jacinto in the Cathedral Parish, right next to the birthplace of Simón Bolívar, a beautifully renovated fireproof building, which preserves the characteristics of the Caracas mansions of the time, reveals and preserves objects of historical character of Venezuela, in a permanent exhibition.

Infrastructure

Its main characteristic is the preserved simplicity of its spaces, a central garden or courtyard adorned with a fountain and ornamental plants, allowing the entrance of natural light during the day, white walls with masterpieces and historical objects distributed according to the different exhibition rooms; granite floors, wooden handrails, high ceilings, renovated windows preserving the original model, period lamps modified to be used with electric energy, welcome us to the place.

Personal and everyday objects

In the first room ‘Bolívar Humano’, personal objects of the Liberator Simón Bolívar are shown; some of them caught my attention like the discreet liquor box in the shape of books, which was made with elements of wood, bronze and glass; in the legend, Luis Perú de Lacroix, journalist of the Diario de Bucaramanga, points out that Bolívar did not consume liquor regularly, only on special occasions.

We can also find a replica of the 32nd Degree Masonic Jewel and Apron, an investiture called ‘Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret’, characterised by professing the principles of the Order through values such as ethics, philosophy and above all allegory (the way of explaining complexes in a literary and/or artistic way).

Tie pins, brooches, combs, scissors, slippers, waistcoats, ornaments, crockery, cutlery and other items of clothing can transport us to the everyday life of the Liberator.

Artistic Works

Pictures with oil paintings, lithographs, sculptures, coats of arms of different families carved in stone, among others, abound throughout the museum, there is no place where the different artistic expressions of the time are not shown, some (for safety), are very accurate replicas and others are unpublished and original works of great artists, also, you can see works by unknown authors.

Bolívar en 1827. Autor: Tito Salas. Óleo sobre tela. 197.5 x 111.5cm

Últimos momentos del Libertador. Antonio Herrera Toro (1857-1914). Pintura / Óleo sobre tela. Siglo XIX.

Escudo de Venezuela. Esculpido, alto relieve, Mármol blanco, Siglo X/X

Réplica del arca que contiene Tierra del Monte Sacro. Autor: Sergio Vatterni Carrara. Vaciado - Ensamblado - Bronce. Período: 1930.

"Bolívar en Capilla ardiente (1830)". Francisco Quijano. Pintura/Óleo sobre tela. Año: 1912.

San José y el Niño. Autor: Xavier Flores. Óleo sobre tela. 94.6 x 70.5 cm. Periodo: 1774

Lifestyle

The Museum shows evidence of the daily life of those who lived in Colonial Caracas: carriages, women's ornaments, letter openers, period furniture, porcelain tableware, vessels, military clothing, dresses and costumes of the different social classes, pencils, campaign desks, among others.

Arms and Laurels

Of course, the weapons wielded by the brave warriors who forged the freedom of our country could not be left out: cannons, spears, swords, flags and decorations could not be overlooked.

In the midst of everything, I must admit that I felt very anxious when I entered the last rooms, precisely where the weapons and decorations are displayed, and above all in the last exhibition, where the posthumous moments of the Liberator are shown, the sarcophagi that were used for his burial and transfer from Colombia to Venezuela, His relics and funeral rites in general, instilled in me a sense of misgivings about the remains of a human being, so I decided to respect and not take any photographs, as I feel that the man Bolivar should be respected in the fullest sense of the word.

Literary culture

Writings are also part of the permanent exhibition, the Museum has a library where books, encyclopaedias and invaluable manuscripts are kept.

Thank you for joining me on this little journey through time, where simple objects and belongings can take on historical relevance, just by making a difference.