Cruz del Avila, Illuminated cross on El Avila Mountain, Caracas, Venezuela
The Cruz del Avila stands at 37 meters tall and 18 meters wide on El Avila Mountain, visible from multiple points throughout Caracas.
Engineer Ottomar Pfersdorff initiated the cross project in 1963, first using hotel room curtains at Hotel Humboldt to create a light formation.
The annual lighting of the cross from December 1st to January 6th marks the beginning and end of Christmas celebrations in Caracas.
The current structure, made of galvanized iron and installed at 1,530 meters above sea level, requires 11,100 watts daily for illumination.
The cross underwent several relocations, including a period on the Venezuelan Television antenna, before receiving its permanent dedicated structure in 1982.
Location: Caracas
Inception: 1966
Elevation above the sea: 1,530 m
Height: 37 m
Width: 18 m
GPS coordinates: 10.52517,-66.88531
Latest update: March 8, 2025 11:52
El Avila National park
2.2 km
Confinanzas Financial Center
2.7 km
Hotel Humboldt
2.2 km
Caracas Museum of Fine Arts
3 km
Teleferico de Caracas
1.4 km
Pepsi-Cola Venezuela
3 km
Plaza Venezuela
3.1 km
Museo de Ciencias de Caracas
3.1 km
Los Caobos Park
3 km
Quinta Anauco
2.2 km
La Florida
2.8 km
Mosque of Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim
2.8 km
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria 1708
3 km
Avenida Andrés Bello
2.5 km
La Chiquinquirá Church
2.8 km
Guaicaipuro monument
3 km
Mercantil Tower
2.7 km
Provincial Tower
2.8 km
National Archives of Venezuela
3.2 km
Torre Phelps
3 km
Torre Polar I
3.1 km
Abra Solar
3.1 km
Tiféret Israel Synagogue
2.9 km
Iglesia de San Charbel
2.9 km
Casa de Italia
2.9 km
Puente Anauco
3 km
Escultura
3.2 km
Iglesia San José
2.8 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes