San Pedro del Río

San Pedro del Río is a colonial settlement in the Venezuelan Andes where narrow cobblestone streets are lined with houses featuring uniformly painted window frames in blue, brown, or green. The electrical infrastructure runs underground, preserving the historic street appearance and allowing traditional architecture to define the town's character.

The town was established during the Spanish colonial period and preserved its original street layout and building patterns across generations. This continuity reflects the settlement's stability, which has resisted significant modernization and maintained its historical form.

The central Bolívar Square features a large Saman tree beside the main church, which displays colonial architectural elements including arched ceilings and hand-carved doors. The square functions as a gathering place where locals and visitors sit beneath the trees and observe the town's daily rhythms.

The town sits along the main highway connecting San Juan de Colón and Lobatera, making it straightforward to reach by car. On foot, the flat to gently rolling terrain is pleasant for walking and exploring the streets.

Along the Chirirí promenade stands a hand-cranked Ferris wheel, a marvel of manual operation that rarely appears in modern times. Nearby, local artisans sell hand-carved wooden objects and traditional dolls, keeping alive techniques passed down through generations.