Bolívar Square, Main square in Catedral district, Caracas, Venezuela.
Plaza Bolívar is the central square in the Catedral district of Caracas, distinguished by an equestrian bronze statue surrounded by African tulip trees and jacarandas. The space is bordered by the Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, City Hall, and the Federal Legislative Palace, forming the core of the historic center.
Established in 1567 as Plaza Mayor, the square anchored the original 24-block grid that formed the foundation of Caracas. This early layout defined the city for centuries and made it the oldest and most important public space in the capital.
The plaza serves as a meeting point where residents gather for conversations, with vendors selling traditional beverages and children feeding black squirrels. It remains a place where everyday community life unfolds openly.
The square is easily explored on foot and surrounded by adjacent government buildings that are also accessible to visitors. The best time to visit is early morning or afternoon when the plaza is less crowded and monuments can be seen more clearly.
The equestrian statue was cast in Munich and unveiled in 1874, with its pedestal containing historical documents, coins, and the Act of Independence beneath. This makes the plaza not just a public space but also a symbolic repository of national history.
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