Day 11: Bolívar’s Birthplace!

June 11th, 2012

 

Learning about the liberator of Venezuela, Simon Bolívar, was really interesting to me so we decided to go tour the place where he was born. Casa del Libertador is just a few meters from Capitolio or Hoyada metro stations. The house dates back to the 17th century  and is the place where Bolívar’s parents lived and raised a family of four children. Bolívar was the youngest child, born in 1783, and according to the historians, he lived in this house until 1792, when he lost his mother to a pulmonary disease. Having already lost his father in 1786, his grandfather took custody of him.

The house shows how wealthy Bolívar’s family was. The walls and floors are made of marble, lots of bedrooms, a library, a kitchen and even an patio that brings natural light to all the areas. Inside the house, you can see the belongings of Bolivar and his family, including precious paintings by famous Venezuelan painters. Among other things on display, you can see the baptismal font in which Bolivar was baptized in. The house was restored in 2011. It welcomes tourists and offers guided visits on only one condition- you must sign the guestbook!

Of course I immediately signed it to get a tour of the place! It’s very beautiful and has exquisite decorating. Simon had a very posh home to live in as he grew up!

 

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