Merida, Venezuela, is the capital city of the state of Merida. The city was founded in 1558 and was first known as "Santiago de Los Caballeros." This university town is located at the northern part of the Andes Mountains and has a contrasting landscape that includes mountains, grasslands and coasts. It is a good place for both indoor and outdoor activities, at places such as parks, churches, palaces, museums and other points of interest.
Some of the most popular spots in Merida are its 28 parks. The Parque Zoologico de Chorros de Milla is a state park and zoo with a lagoon featuring cascades that originate at the Milla River. At the park, there are more than 150 types of animals to observe, including a rare species of bear found in South America, the Oso Frontino. The Parque de Beethoven, named after the famous German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, features clocks with numbers that serve as flowerpots and a carillon clock with wooden elves that play music written by Beethoven. The Parque de las Cinco Republicas, or the Park of the Five Republics, features an historic statue of famous general Simon Bolivar, who helped Venezuela gain independence from Spain. The statue was built in 1842.
The Palacio Arzobispal, or the Archbishop's Palace, is located in the Plaza de Bolivar. It has been used as the home of Merida's archbishop since 1951. The Museo Arquidiocesano, or the Archdiocesan Museum, is located inside the palace. The Palacio del Gobierno has been used for legislative assemblies since 1958. The barracks and house that are a part of the palace were once owned by General Campo Elias. The building houses historic oil paintings, furniture and murals.
In Merida, there are a number of churches that have been in existence for more than a hundred years. The Catedral Metropolitana de Merida was started in 1805, but it was not finished until 1958 because of earthquakes, the War of Independence and other regional struggles. The building's design is similar to the Toledo Cathedral in Spain. The Iglesia de Nuestra Senora Carmen, or the Church of Our Lady Carmen, is the oldest religious structure in Merida. The first cathedral on the site was used between 1812 and 1866, the year the current building was constructed. The church is located near the Plaza Bolivar and is part of the Carmelite Brotherhood, which began in 1853.
The Museo Arqueologico de Gonzalo Rincon Gutierrez is an archeological museum located in a garden near the Plaza Bolivar. It was built in 1986, and it features exhibits on archeological findings from the Andes, including tools, jewelry, a headless mummy and a collection of ceramics from between 25,000 and 5,000 B.C. The Museo de Arte Colonial, also known as the Colonial Art Museum, is located in a colonial home, the Casa del General Juan Antonio Paredes. The museum features religious art from the colonial period. The Casa de la Cultura Juan Felix Sanchez is a colonial home named after architect Juan Felix Sanchez. It houses exhibitions of artwork done by popular South American artists and has workshops on local music, cooking and ceramics.
Merida has the longest and highest cable car in the world, known as Teleferico, which is 12.5 kilometers in length and reaches an altitude of 4,765 meters. The car is made up of four sections, which go to different areas. One car takes people up to the Loma Redonda station, which is more than 4,000 meters above sea level. On this ride, they will see Pico Espejo, or Mirror Peak, which is 4,765 meters above sea level; two lagoons, La Negra and La Colorada; and Cerro La Leon, or Lion Mountain.
The Laguna de Mucubaji is the largest lagoon in Merida and is considered a good spot for trout fishing. People can take horse or jeep rides up to another lagoon, the Laguna Negra.
