This document provides information on various attractions and places of interest in the city of Merida, Venezuela. It discusses the Plaza Bolivar, Cathedral of Merida, University of Los Andes building, Glorias Patrias Park, Casa de la Cultura Juan Felix Sanchez, Colonial Art Museum, Mario Calderon Toy Museum, Science and Technology Museum, Heroines Park, Children's Garden Park, Milla Square, Milla Zoo, La Isla Park, Aquarium Garden, Main Market, Merida Cable Car System, Loca Luz Caraballo Park, La Victoria Estate, and Botanical Garden. The document gives the locations and brief descriptions of each site.

1. MERIDA:
ATTRACTIONS &
ENTERTAINMENT

2. MERIDA PRECIOUS
Mérida, is the capital of the Liberating Municipality and the
state of Mérida. Mérida is one of the main localities of the
Venezuelan Andes. It is located on a plateau in the middle of
the region, between the mountain ranges of La Culata and
Nevada and the homonymous national parks, this
geographic condition places it as an important tourist center.
Likewise the prestige of its main university and the vast
variety of educational institutes have placed it at the
national level as a favorite destination for tourism and the
student population. It has a culture, rich and diverse
gastronomy, is an important sports center and has a
remarkable craft development.

3. PLAZA BOLIVAR OF
MÉRIDA:
The Plaza Mayor of Merida, today Plaza
Bolívar, is located between the Avenida
Independencia and Bolívar and between the
streets 22 and 23 of Mérida’s City. In its
beginnings it was an empty space that served
for the socialization of merideño, marketing
of food, political, religious acts and in some
bullfights were fought. In 1840 the lieutenant
of justice Antonio Ignacio Picón, ordered to
place a pool that supplied water until 1859,
year in that the pipe was unearthed to make
bullets for the Federal War.

4. On August 20, 1859 was ordered to be
transformed from Plaza Mayor to Plaza Bolivar by
the engineer Pedro Dávalos and Lissón, whose
original design, along with historical documents
related to the declaration of Independence of
1810, was deposited in a box.
Between 1902 and 1903, the square assumed the
appearance of a garden and became a place for
the meridian's walk. Regarding the placement of
the statue of the Liberator, the bibliography
records two possible dates: the first in 1926 and
the second in 1930, both during the government
of JuanVicente Gómez.
The truth is that this square has the sphinx of the
oldest Liberator Simón Bolívar ofVenezuela.
Plaza Bolívar de Mérida has undergone at least
three modifications since its inception, the last
one was in 1981, when granite floors were
replaced by a floor of hammered cement and the
boulevards of streets 22 and 23 were created.

5. CATHEDRAL
OF MERIDA:
It is one of the most beautiful historic
buildings, it is located in front of Plaza
Bolivar, in the avenue 4 between 22 and 23
streets. It was built between the years 1803
and 1960 following the design of the
Cathedral of Toledo in Spain. It has been
named minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II.
Inside is the image of the Virgin of the Apple,
carved in stone in southern Germany during
the 14th century, and the remains of St.
Clement Martyr, donated by Pope Pius VI to
the second Bishop of Merida, Monsignor
CandidoTerrijos in 1794.

6. RECTOR OFTHE
UNIVERSITY OF LOS
ANDES
It is a beautiful building designed and built by the
architect Mújica Millán. The memory of Fray Juan
Ramos de Lora, First Bishop of the Diocese of Mérida,
was created on March 29, 1785. The house of education
that gave rise to the Royal Seminary of San
Buenaventura in Merida de Los Caballeros, where Was
born the University of Los Andes.
It houses the Archaeological Museum Gonzalo Rincón
Gutiérrez. In its rooms you will find exhibitions of
ceramics made by man, whose antiquity dates back to
between 25,000 and 50,000 years before Christ. In
addition, university and cultural activities are carried
out at the Rector's premises.
It is located in the vicinity of Plaza Bolivar, on Avenida 3
between 23 and 24 streets.

7. PARK GLORIES
HOMELAND
This Park was inaugurated during the commemoration
of the Centennial of the Death of Simón Bolívar. It
consists of the Squares José Antonio Paez and Vicente
Campo Elías, each with their respective monuments to
honor these heroes. It has been the subject of recent
interventions to improve the quality of space. It stands
out as a public space with a high political and
recreational dynamic.
Sector Glorias Patrias. Avenues 2, 3 and 4, between
Streets 36 and 37

8. HOUSE OFTHE
CULTURE JUAN
FELIX SANCHEZ
This is a house from the end of the 19th
century, when you visit it you will appreciate
important works of Merino's popular art,
among them wood carvings, paintings and
ceramics. It functions as headquarters of the
National Commission of Artisans of Mérida.
It owes its name to Juan Felix Sánchez, who
in life was one of the most important artists
of the state. It is located in front of Plaza
Bolivar, on Avenida 3 between 22 and 23
streets.

9. MUSEUM OF
COLONIAL ART
Is located on Avenida 4 between streets 20
and 21 in a colonial house, built between
1680 and 1710. It was the home of General
Paredes, a celebrated character of the
colonial era and hero of the Independence
of Venezuela. There historical relics, among
them religious paintings and common
objects of the merida life in the colonial era
are kept.

10. MARIO CALDERON
TOY MUSEUM
FOUNDATIONA retrospective of the magical and fabulous world of Mario Calderon's toys
arrived at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) in Parque Central. A total
of 58 of his creations, made in more than two decades, and 10 pieces of his
collection of old child training objects are part of the exhibition that opened
yesterday in Room 9.
Much of the works were made for this exhibition, called Fables of wood. "I
had a very beautiful childhood, I could play a lot and be in contact with the
toys. It always seemed to me that movement and color were the most
attractive things of a toy, is what makes the imagination fly. Those are the
foundations of my work ", explained the artist from Caracas, residing in the
capital of Merida.
Calderon, 56, confessed to being a self-taught toymaker, who continues his
research in the area every day. He began by imitating the traditional toys of
the world and then evolved into pieces of his own imagination, which are
now displayed on the MAC grouped in four series, all related to episodes of
his life.
These series are conformed, like all his work, by careful assemblages of
wood of siquisique that recreate in this case scenes of magicians, clowns,
artists and animal jugglers, trapeze artists, acrobats, jugglers, carousels and
wooden horses

11. MUSEUM OF
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
The Museum of Science and Technology is located in
the Boulevard Cinco Aguilas Blancas with Avenida
Andrés Bello, Central Sector, Las Tapias Urbanization.
It can be visited every day from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
(Hours in High Season)
This is a museum that appeals to both big and boys to
be endowed with interesting attractions. It has eight
modules in which the adventure of knowledge is
promoted with topics such as The Solar System,
Human Organism, Chemical Reactions, Physics, etc.
There is a special earthquake simulation room where
the visitor is explained all about earthquakes, a
"planetarium", a wall to climb and many attractions of
scientific interest. You can live the experience of
sharing with several dinosaurs manufactured
following the principles of robotics.

12. The Museum of Science and Technology is a non-profit cultural scientific foundation
funded by the Government of the State of Merida and by its own income generated by
the educational and tourism services it provides to the public. During the school
season, it serves students and teachers of all educational levels.
Low season hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. 2:00 PM to
5:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM Saturdays 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Sundays and
holidays: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

13. HEROINES PARK
Located at the end of Calle 24, in front of the Mérida Cable
Car System, it is one of the main attractions of the city. It is
the ideal place for recreation for both Meridians and
tourists. It was built in honor of the five women who
heroically fought alongside the Liberator Simón Bolívar
during the war of independence, contributing to the
triumph of the same.
Parque Las Heroínas has a good infrastructure and lighting
and has its own musical environment, because on the
lighting pole has installed speakers that reproduce music
that operated from a space booth.
During the high season it is common to sell handicrafts
and sweets inside the park. In the surrounding area you
will find a variety of commercial establishments, such as:
restaurants, inns, hotels, liquor stores, bakeries, craft
shops and travel agencies.

14. CHILDREN'S
GARDEN PARK
Created by the Mayor of Libertador
Municipality in 1999 to promote children's
recreation. It comprises an area of
approximately 32,000 m2 of green areas with
vegetation of different species, fixed
installations of plastic parks, walkways, bridges
and others. Composed of two terraces
between which passes the Quebrada Gaviria,
simulating the configuration of the city of
Merida. It has associated a preschool, whose
children enjoy this Park permanently
Avenida Ezio Valeri, between Las Americas and
Los Próceres Avenues.

15. SQUARE MILLA
In the Milla sector, at the end of Avenida 2
Lora, there is the Parque Sucre, better known
as Parque Milla, a beautiful plaza with large
trees, surrounded by houses with colonial
features. In the center is the statue of the
Great Marshal of Ayacucho, Antonio Jose de
Sucre and behind it there is a beautiful
artificial waterfall. The park was remodeled in
2007 by the Merideña Tourism Corporation
(Cometur). In front is the Church of Mile, built
near the year 1800, in honor to San Juan
Bautista. Below the church there is a colonial
house in which a pizzeria very famous in the
region for its exquisite pizzas, which we
recommend to visit

16. ZOOTHE JETS OF
MILLA
At 1850 meters above sea level, with a pleasant
average climate of 18ºC, enjoy this wonderful park
crossed by the river Milla. There are more than 160
animals (mammals, reptiles and birds), including the
Andean Condor, Felines, Danta, Monkeys and Bears,
among them El Oso Frontino, also called Osos de
Anteojos, which lives in the moors. The Chorros de
Milla park is home to more than 2000 species of
plants, at the end of it you can see a beautiful
waterfall, called the Tibisay Waterfall. Legend has it
that its waters were formed from the tears that
Princess Tibisay shed after the death in combat of
her beloved Murachi.
The Zoological Park is located in the Chorros de
Milla sector, at the end of the avenue. It is open
during low season from Tuesday to Sunday from
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In high season from Monday
to Sunday at the same time.

17. PARKTHE ISLAND
Parque la Isla is located on the Proceres avenue, behind
CORPOANDES building. It is the ideal place for big and
small. It has an attractive playground with slides 3 meters
high, an artificial lake with rowing boats and pedal boats.
Formerly there was a coffee growing hacienda in this place,
there you will know the old house and the machinery that
was used. The entrance to the park is free and has ample
parking and green areas.
It has a total area of 39,600 m2, was built by the
Corporation of Los Andes between 1967 and 1968. It has a
small acoustic shell and tribunes, cafeteria, tennis courts,
orchid and also the facilities of the Beekeeping Museum and
the Room Febres Cordero, where you can find the whole
collection of works by DonTulio Febres Cordero.

18. AQUARIUM
GARDEN
In the Aquarium Garden you will find a
fabulous exhibition of more than 300
aquaculture species that inhabit Andean
rivers and lagoons, as well as other sites of
Venezuelan geography. You will also enjoy
specially equipped areas where you will be
able to know the folklore and the traditional
culture merideña, and the tourist attractions
of the state. It is located on Avenida Andrés
Bello diagonal to Las Tapias Shopping Center.
You can visit it from Tuesday to Sunday from
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

19. MAIN
MARKET OF
MERIDA
Is a multi-level building, located on Las Americas
Avenue with Miranda Viaduct. It is one of the most
visited places by tourists. In it you can buy all kinds
of agricultural products of the region, as well as
handicrafts, typical sweets, blankets, hats, gloves,
coats, paintings, carved wood, beautiful flowers. It is
the ideal place to enjoy the local gastronomy. In its
first level it will get positions with sales of cakes,
natural juices, Andean arepas, empanadas. There
are also restaurants where you can taste the
exquisite Pizca Andina and Trout. It is characterized
by being a very clean and organized market.

20. MERIDA CABLE CAR SYSTEM
Undoubtedly this is the most popular tourist site in
the entire state of Mérida, as it is the tallest and
longest cable car in the world. It operates since 1960.
It connects Merida with one of the highest peaks, El
Pico Espejo, with a height of 4,765 meters above sea
level. It crosses a long section of 12.5 kilometers,
made up of four sections, independent of each
other, but which go together to offer the best of its
structure. You should not miss living the wonderful
experience of ascending the Cable Car near the Pico
Bolivar, and enjoy the tour through the Sierra
Nevada National Park.

21. PARK CRAZY
LUZ
CARABALLO
At a height of 3,473 meters above sea level, in the
tourist village of Apartaderos, is located along the
trans-Andean road, the Loca Luz Caraballo Park
where most of the tourists stop to appreciate the
monument to Luz Caraballo and the Beautiful
panoramic view of Apartaderos and the
Astrophysicist of Hato del llano. A group of children
from the paramo recite to the tourists the
anthological word of the Famous Poet Andrés Eloy
Blanco on the Loca Luz Caraballo, waiting to receive
the applause and the monetary contribution of the
same. When you visit this park keep in mind that you
should slowly climb the stairs leading to the
monument, as they are somewhat inclined and
because they are at a considerable height above sea
level the lack of oxygen can exhaust it easily

22. ESTATE LA
VICTORIA
On the road to Tovar and Bailadores, there is the
intersection of La Victoria, and it is just opposite the
Alcabala where Hacienda La Victoria is located. It is a
beautiful house built in colonial style during the year
1893, its architectural value is enormous. There, for
years, an important coffee plantation ran, where
coffee was grown and processed. It is located in the
area of greatest coffee production in the state of
Mérida. Today La Hacienda La Victoria is the Coffee
and Immigrant Museum, it is also an agricultural
school. We invite you to visit this hacienda, it remains
open to the public from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., during
the high season from Monday to Sunday, and in the
low season fromTuesday to Sunday at the same time.

23. BOTANICAL
GARDEN
In the Botanical Garden of Merida you will know the
reproduction of the cloud forest, xerophytic gardens
and tropical dry forest. In its 44 hectares you will find
the best collection of Bromelias from all over
Venezuela. It is definitely a place you should not
miss. It is located in Alberto Carnevalí Avenue, sector
la Hechicera

24. ASTRONOMICAL
OBSERVATORY
The Astronomical Observatory is strategically located, its considerable altitude reduces the atmospheric effects that degrade the astronomical
images. Its proximity to the terrestrial equator makes it possible to observe both celestial hemispheres, making the almost totality of the sky
available to its instruments. It has four large telescopes, each housed in its respective dome: the Schmidt camera, the reflecting telescope, the large
refractor and a double-spherograph.
Because of the climatic conditions typical of tropical regions, and particularly of the Venezuelan Andes, the optimal period for observation usually
occurs between December and early April, ie during the months of least precipitation. During these rare five months, astronomers constantly use
telescopes with the intention of making the most of favorable weather. However, in the remaining seven months astronomers do not rest, since a
few clear nights for observation can provide a wealth of information generating data that will be analyzed over several months.
If you want to visit the Observatory, you can do it! The visitor center is a dependency of CIDA and is located in the National Astronomical
Observatory of Llano del Hato. The Center offers visitors all the information regarding the Observatory and astronomy in general through guided
visits to the domes, lectures, videos, exhibitions and when the weather conditions allow, the observation with the minor instruments of the
observatory.The schedule is from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday in low season and from Monday to Sunday in high season or on vacation.

25. LOS ALEROS
PARK
It was opened to the public on July 28, 1984 by its creator, the meridian Alexis
Montilla, who once dreamed of creating a town that revived the way of life and
customs of the Andean towards the end of the 30's of last century, That is, the
place and time in which their ancestors were born, grew and lived. To get from
Barinas: Take the road to Merida passing through Santo Domingo, El Baho,
Laguna Mucubají, Apartaderos, San Rafael del Páramo, Mucuchíes, Mucurubá,
Cacute and finally Los Aleros. Approximate distances: From Caracas 660 Km.
From Barinas 140 Km.
From Trujillo. Take the road to Merida passing by Timotes, Chachopo, Collado
del Cóndor (also known as Pico El Águila), Apartaderos, San Rafael del Páramo,
Mucuchíes, Mucurubá, Cacute and finally Los Aleros. Approximate distances:
From Caracas 660 Km.
From the city of Mérida. Take the Trasandina road to El Páramo passing
through Tabay, El Pedregal and Los Aleros. Approximate distances: From the
city of Merida 22 Km.

26. LA
VENEZUELA
OF ANTIER
Antier Venezuela is the only theme park dedicated to Venezuela. It was
created by the meridian Alexis Montilla, who on this occasion wanted to
revive, not an Andean town of the 30s, but a whole country. Thus began
this new adventure that led him to build the representation of several
states of Venezuela for the time of the 1920s, when the country was
governed by the iron dictatorship of General Juan Vicente Gomez. The
intention of Alexis Montilla was to immerse visitors in the first decades
of the twentieth century to meet and live, with the help of their
characters, customs, architecture, cuisine, music and folklore of
Venezuelan geography. Old vehicles, objects, portraits, documents,
newspapers, costumes, characters and situations that only believed
existed in the pages of books, can be revived in this park. Antier
Venezuela opened to the public on July 31, 1991, after 3 years of
construction

27. HOWTO
GET?
From the city of Mérida: Take the avenue Los Proceres until joining
the Panamericana highway via Jají - La Azulita. 5 km from the La
Pedregosa bridge (exit of the city of Mérida) you will find the main
station of LaVenezuela de Antier.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: To take public transportation to La Vega
de Antier you can do it from the bus stop of the Los Curos Line
located in the viaduct of Calle 26 between Avenues 3 and 4. You can
also do it from the Passenger Terminal located on the Av And take
the buses of the Jají line. You can also take taxi whose fares are in the
directory that each vehicle must show to the passengers.

28. MOUNTAIN OF DREAMS
The Mountain of Dreams was born from the conversations of Alexis Montilla, its
creator, with visitors from Los Aleros and La Venezuela, who constantly asked him
about his origin, that of his works and that of his family. The fruit of these
gatherings was the idea of telling those stories, but not with words but through a
park.
This same story was also told in the Venezuelan feature Una Vida y Dos Mandados,
whose script is inspired by his own life. Thus, on May 22, 1994, together with his
sons, nephews and friends, he laid the foundation stone of this work that will
become, after 8 years of construction, a new park inspired by architectural and
urban works of the Merida of the The 1950s, '60s and' 70s, whose theme will be
the audiovisual arts: cinema, radio, television, music, photography, theater ... in
short, everything that has made us dream since childhood.
The Mountain of Dreams is also home to the automobile museum which houses
more than 40 vintage cars from the 1940s to the 1980s, including classic film and
television and presidential vehicles.

29. HOWTO GET?
From the city of Mérida: Take the road that leads to El Vigía - San Cristóbal, passing
through Ejido, Lagunillas and, in the El Anís sector, right at the police control post,
take the route to the right, towards the town of Chiguará. Distance from the city of
Mérida 45 Km.
From the city of El Vigia: (obliged passage for those who come from the Colombian
border and use the Pan-American highway from the states Táchira, Zulia and
Trujillo): Take the road that leads to Merida and 2 km after the last tunnel, right in
the Police checkpoint, take the route to the left, towards the town of Chiguará.
Distance from the city of ElVigía 25 Km.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: At the Passenger Terminal located at Av. Las
Américas you can take the buses of the route to Chiguará. You can also take a taxi
whose rates are in the directory that each vehicle must show the passengers

30. PUEBLITO
LOS SUENOS
DEL ABUELOYou can observe everything to the size of the children: The Roman aqueduct,
the cellar of the village, the fountain of luck, Plaza Bolivar where you can see
the bust of the Liberator at its height, the church in which you can
contemplate the main altar Patron saint of the people "El Divino Niño" and as
guardians of the Child, his excellently mother Mary, in an image under the
name of Fatima that appeared to three children: Francisco, Jacinto and Lucia,
on the left side and on the right side, San Antonio Of Lisbon and called by the
Italians San Antonio de Padua, because in the city of Padua, Italian north there
died. The Infant Jesus was presented to San Antonio. San Antonio is the Saint
of the Poor and the SingleGirls.
After the church we have the various houses of different styles. The palace of
the queen, the stone hermitage, with a roof in the form of a pyramid,
dedicated to the family, in which the image of the sacred family and mosaic of
the Santo Cristo de la Grita, Tachira, Santo and Miracle lord who favors and
protects those who come to El. You will also find what will be the theater of
the town, even to improve its structure. Then they will see a local that will be
destined to a fantasy office of the Mercantile Bank.
There are still many things to do in the village; The box is not finished yet. For
that and its maintenance are the economic resources of what you. Pay,
because this work is already for Merida and for this beloved Venezuela as a
tribute to the purest fantasy;The reality of children.
Address:The CulataValley. BellaVista Sector. La Caña. Mérida.Venezuela

31. LA MUSUI
The Hot Springs of La Musui are located several kilometers from the town of Mucuchíes, at the mouth of a stream that descends
from the mountain, in a totally isolated area. The well is surrounded by stones and has a wonderful view. The way to arrive is
clearly delimited, reason why its access is easy.
If you are going from Mérida by private car, before you arrive in Mucuchíes you will see a sign indicating the entrance to the
village La Musui. Take the diversion that will take you to the entrance of the "Asociación Civil Aguas Termales La Musui". If you are
going by public transport, you should stay in Mucuchíes, where you can take a rustic on the main avenue of the village.
To enter the Hot Springs of La Musui it is necessary to cancel an amount of money, this is done where the first house is. The cost
varies depending on the activity to be carried out, whether it is a visit to the hot springs or camping. The camping area is situated
in an extensive valley. There are bins to keep the place clean and maintained. From that point, the hot springs are practically very
close. After an exciting 45-minute hike up the mountain you will reach the splendid well, which awaits you with its warm waters
in the cold of the mountain.
The Hot Springs of La Musui are a true oasis of peace surrounded by beautiful landscapes. There is also a river at the end of the
mouth of the well and a stream from which water can be collected for consumption

32. BULLRING ROMAN EDUARDO
SANDIA
The monumental Plaza Román Eduardo Sandiaalso known as the Plaza de Toros de Mérida is
a first-class bullring located in the city of Mérida, Venezuela being one of the main
infrastructure for large-scale cultural and artistic events in the city after Estadio Olímpico
Metropolitano, is the venue for bullfights in the framework of the International Fair Del Sol.
The plaza was inaugurated in 1967 to serve as headquarters for several of the events of the
Fair of the Sun such as El Caranval Taurino of America, the Election and Coronation of the
Bride of the Sun and the concerts and popular events that are set to take place during the
carnival celebration , Has a capacity of 16,000 spectators
Av. Las Américas, Sector La Liria, City of Mérida, Flag ofVenezuela.svgVenezuela.