La cabeza de Franco, National mausoleum in Caracas, Venezuela.
La cabeza de Franco is a national mausoleum in Caracas, Venezuela, housed in a former church building with tall vaulted ceilings and decorated walls. The interior displays memorial plaques, wall paintings, and monuments arranged along the side corridors.
The building originated in the mid-18th century as a religious site and was later converted into a national memorial in the 19th century. This change followed independence and the desire to honor the founders and heroes of the nation.
The name of the building recalls Francisco Franco, while visitors today walk through the arcades and memorials that honor different personalities of the country. Locals use the place as a meeting point to reflect on their history and pay respect to the honored figures.
The mausoleum sits in the city center and opens to visitors on most days, with guided tours helping to understand the different monuments. The entrance is located at the main facade, and the rooms are accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
In the basement, a chapel preserves religious objects, including a replica of the Shroud of Turin, which sits beside the crypts of military heroes. This mix of sacred and state symbols shows the dual role of the building in Venezuelan society.
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