Explore Ciudad Bolívar through several layers of time: the history of a settlement relocated several times along the Orinoco, the historic center and the art of Jesús Soto. This combination makes it an interesting destination if you are interested in local history and culture and would also like to consider the geological dimension of the landscape. The Feria del Orinoco also brings together local tradition, the river and one of its native fish species.
From Settlement to Its Present Location
The settlement from which Ciudad Bolívar emerged was first founded in 1595 under the name Santo Tomé de Guayana. It was relocated several times over the course of its history; in 1764, it was permanently established at its present location, at the narrowest point of the Orinoco. The two dates represent different stages: the founding under the original name and the later permanent settlement at its present site. The chronology thus makes clear that the founding and the permanent settlement were not the same event.
Another historical landmark is the Centro Histórico de Ciudad Bolívar. It was declared a Monumento Histórico Nacional on July 26, 1968. The historic district also contains two buildings with different political associations. The Casa del Congreso de Angostura was the seat of Venezuela’s second republican congress. The Casa del Correo del Orinoco was the seat of the newspaper of the same name, which Simón Bolívar conceived as a means of disseminating ideas of emancipation. Together, these histories of place illustrate both political assembly and the circulation of ideas through the press.
Jesús Soto: Foundation and Collection
The Fundación Museo de Arte Moderno Jesús Soto was founded on October 27, 1969. Venezuelan architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva was commissioned to design the building, and the Venezuelan state provided financial support for the project. Its origins thus include a precisely dated founding, a named architect and state support.
The collection offers a different perspective on the museum: it includes important works by Jesús Soto that represent his entire artistic career. The founding date and collection thus answer different questions—when the museum was founded and what period of Soto’s artistic development the works cover. Visitors interested in modern art can consider this biographical scope alongside the historical development of Ciudad Bolívar.
Landscape and Tradition on the Orinoco
The geological dimension also differs markedly from the historical dates associated with the settlement. The Imataca Complex is described as a 3.4-billion-year-old rock platform. This represents a different timescale from local history, whose recorded founding dates back to 1595. In Ciudad Bolívar, historical accounts and a geological context reaching much further back in time thus stand alongside one another as distinct subjects.
A 2019 report describes the Feria del Orinoco as a traditional event held in August. It marks the start of the Sapoara fishing season on the Orinoco; the Sapoara is a native fish species of the river. August is therefore a traditional seasonal reference point for the festival. If the Feria is a deciding factor in your trip, check the exact event dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: San Martin de Turumban, Barrio Negro Primero.
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