Plaza Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela
Cathedral of Caracas
The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caracas, Venezuela, a colonial-era church in the Plaza Bolivar that holds the Bolivar family chapel and has survived earthquakes and political upheavals since the sixteenth century.
Caracas Cathedral stands on the east side of the Plaza Bolivar in the old center of the Venezuelan capital. The original church was built in 1567, destroyed by an earthquake in 1641, rebuilt, damaged again in the catastrophic 1812 earthquake, and restored once more. The current building is largely an eighteenth-century reconstruction with later modifications. It is a low, wide, colonial church — tile roof, white-washed walls, a restrained facade with a single bell tower — that blends into the colonial-era buildings around the plaza. The interior has a five-aisle plan with wooden ceilings and heavy columns. The most visited spot is the Bolivar family chapel, where the parents and wife of Simon Bolivar, the South American liberator, are buried. The main altar is gilded and the walls hold several colonial-era paintings, including a notable Last Supper attributed to an unknown eighteenth-century artist. Venezuela's current economic and political crisis has affected the cathedral — maintenance is deferred, the surrounding neighborhood has deteriorated, and many parishioners have emigrated. The Church in Venezuela has been one of the few institutions willing to speak publicly about the humanitarian situation, and the cathedral has been a gathering point for prayer vigils and calls for peace.
Diocese: Archdiocese of Caracas
Style: Spanish Colonial
What to See
The Bolivar family chapel draws the most visitors — it connects the cathedral to the national story in a direct, personal way. The gilded main altar is the visual anchor of the interior, and the colonial paintings on the nave walls are worth slow attention. The wooden ceilings are original to the eighteenth-century rebuilding. The five-aisle layout is unusual and gives the interior a broad, open feel. Outside, the Plaza Bolivar provides context — the equestrian statue of Bolivar, the surrounding colonial facades, and the daily life of Caracas flowing through.
Pilgrim Notes
Travel to Venezuela requires careful planning due to the ongoing political and economic situation. Check current advisories before visiting. The cathedral is in the historic center of Caracas, near the Metro station Capitolio. It is open during the day and Mass is offered regularly. The nearby Basilica of Santa Teresa, a few blocks south, is another colonial-era church worth visiting. The Feast of Corpus Christi in June is celebrated with traditional dances in several Venezuelan towns.