Cuartel de Caballería Páez, Military barracks in Maracay, Venezuela
Cuartel de Caballería Páez is a military barracks in Maracay built specifically for cavalry units, featuring a trapezoidal layout with generous interior spaces for stables and training grounds. The single-story structure, spanning about 925 meters in perimeter, includes separate areas for soldiers and horses along with specialized ventilation systems.
Construction began in March 1930 as part of the commemorative projects marking a century since Simón Bolívar's death. The barracks arose during a period when Venezuela was modernizing its military facilities and establishing new architectural standards for such buildings.
The building shows how Venezuela's military imagined housing soldiers and horses together during the 1930s, reflecting the design choices of that era. The layout reveals the way daily operations mixed both groups in one space.
The grounds are accessible through three main entrances that lead to different functional areas. Visitors should allow time to explore the site since its specialized layout for animals and people requires careful navigation through the various sections.
The walls use specially fired clay bricks with low thermal conductivity that help regulate the tropical climate of Maracay. This material was chosen deliberately to keep interior temperatures comfortable without relying on mechanical cooling systems.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
