Jarek Pokrzywnicki

Polska - 11-May-20 -

Site visited in March, 2011. Ciudad Bolivar is a perfect place to start exploration of Canaima National Park (at least the western part around Canaima village and Auyan-Tepui). From Ciudad Bolivar local airport there are flight to Canaima (small planes with 6 seats). But the town has also its own attraction – old town (Casco Historico), pretty nice set of colonial houses, old churches, cobblestone streets, everything located on a hill overlooking Orinoco river.

It is not as spectacular as Cartagena or equally charming as Mompox but it is quite similar to Coro (in terms of architecture style) and much bigger. The layout of old town had to be adjusted to natural conditions (hills) while Coro was located on a flat place.

Notable monuments are: Cathedral Santo Tomas Apolstol, Town Hall (Alcaldía del Municipio Heres) with its passage over the street, old colonial houses (Casa Parroquial, Casa de los Gobernadores, Casa de las Doce Ventanas), El Zamuro Castle (Fortin El Zamuro)
 
Ciudad Bolivar was built at the end of XVI century as Saint Thomas of Guyana, later constantly demolished by local tribes or pirates and rebuilt in different places. Actual and final location was chosen in late XVIII century as San Tomas de la Nueva Guayana or San Tome de Angostura to memorize its diocese and for its position at the first narrows of the Orinoco River. Later on, Angosura played important role as a parliament seat during South America independence movements, it was also a place where Gran Colombia (that included current Venezuela, Colombia, Equator, Panama and several parts of surrounding countries) was established. In honor of Simon Bolivar it received its name in 1864.

I have visited the place during carnival. The streets were full of dancers, most of them wearing dresses known from Rio Carnival (those multicolored plumes). During the day the town was full of joy and life but it all changed after 18.00. Ciudad Bolivar like any other big cities in Venezuela that time faced unofficial curfew. After 18 the streets within five minutes began empty, shops and restaurant were immediately closed and the city started to look as uninhabited. Only stray dogs were searching for food. No tourists, no locals, nobody. I did not notice any dangerous situation but security was a great concern that time.
 
I am not sure if it ever will be on the list but since Coro is there, Ciudad Bolivar deserve its place there as well. There might be an organizational problem as Venezuela is facing currently many other problems than just putting the places on UNESCO, but who knows, maybe one day.