Birthplace of Simón Bolívar Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Birthplace of Simón Bolívar
Casa Natal del Libertador Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar's birthplace, Caracas
General information
Architectural style	Spanish Colonial
Location	Caracas, Venezuela
Country	Venezuela
Completed	1643
Inaugurated	5 January 1921
Renovated	1920
Client	Venezuelan government

The Birthplace of Simón Bolívar (which in Spanish is called Casa Natal del Libertador Simón Bolívar) is a very old house in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela. This is where Simón Bolívar, a famous hero who helped many South American countries become independent, was born.

Today, the house is a popular place for tourists to visit. It is located on a small street near Plaza San Jacinto, not far from the main Plaza Bolívar. It's one of the few old houses from the time when Spain ruled Venezuela that are still standing in central Caracas.

Next to the birthplace is a museum called the Bolivarian Museum. Both the house and the museum show many items linked to Bolívar and the Venezuelan War of Independence. You can see old weapons, furniture, and other things from that time.

History of the House
What the House Looks Like
Other Homes of Bolívar
- In Venezuela
- In Colombia
Gallery
See also

History of the House

A painting of Simón Bolívar inside the house

The house on San Jacinto Street was finished in the 1640s. Simón Bolívar was born here on July 24, 1783. He was the fourth child of a wealthy family who had moved from Spain about 200 years earlier. His parents were Doña María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco and Coronel Don Juan Vicente Bolívar y Ponte.

In 1806, the house was sold to a relative of Bolívar named Madriz. His family owned it until 1876. Then, President Antonio Guzmán Blanco bought it. He greatly admired Bolívar and even put up a statue of him in Plaza Bolívar.

The government decided to rebuild the house on October 28, 1916. This was done to protect Venezuela's history and honor its national hero. The actual rebuilding work started in 1920, and some new features were added. The house officially opened to the public on January 5, 1921. This date was chosen because it was the anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo, an important battle for independence. On July 25, 2002, the building was officially named a National Monument.

What the House Looks Like

The house has only one floor and is quite long and narrow. It is 23 meters wide and 60 meters deep. Inside, you will find wide hallways and open courtyards.

The main courtyard of the house

When the house was rebuilt, it was made to look like Spanish Colonial style. The goal was to make the building look even better, not just to make it exactly as it was before. For example, the front of the house facing the street was covered with stone. This was not typical for houses from that time in Venezuela. Other walls are painted white. The walls are now made of brick, but they were probably made of adobe (a type of mud brick) originally.

When Bolívar was born, the house was filled with fancy furniture. There were mahogany chests, tables, soft chairs, and decorated mirrors. It also had silk curtains, gold decorations, and shiny chandeliers. Today, you can see furniture and items from that time that belonged to Bolívar.

The house has several courtyards with hallways and rooms around them. In the main courtyard, you can see the baptismal font used for Bolívar's baptism. It was originally from the Caracas Cathedral. The second courtyard helps to air out the kitchen and other rooms. It has a copy of a water fountain from Bolívar's time. At the very back of the house, there is a small area for laundry and a stable for horses.

One of the bedrooms in the house

Some of the most important rooms are the main room, the bedroom where Simón Bolívar was born, and the study. These rooms are at the front of the house. They are decorated with large paintings by the artist Tito Salas. These paintings show Bolívar's brave battles and important moments from his life. One painting shows Bolívar on a white mountain with an angel-like man. There are also paintings by Martín Tovar y Tovar and Arturo Michelena. These show scenes like his baptism, wedding, and death. In the backyard, there is a famous tree where it is said that Simón Bolívar was taught by his teacher, Simón Rodríguez. You can also see things from Bolívar's childhood, like parts of his library and personal papers.

Other Homes of Bolívar

In Venezuela

Even though Venezuelan officials say Bolívar was born in Caracas, some people believe he was born in a poorer town called San Mateo, Aragua. This idea comes from the fact that Bolívar's mother was living at a ranch in San Mateo just before he was born. Also, Bolívar spent a lot of his childhood there.

There is another important family home of Bolívar in Venezuela. This house was where the independence movement began on April 19, 1810. Freedom fighters had planned their actions during a meeting at this home in 1818. Because of this movement, Venezuela finally gained its independence from Spain on July 5, 1815.