Colonia Tovar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colonia Tovar
Flag Coat of arms
Colonia Tovar Location in Venezuela
Country	Venezuela
State	Aragua
Municipality	Tovar Municipality
Founded	8 April 1843
Area
• Total	250 km2 (100 sq mi)
Elevation	1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Population  (2016)
• Total	21,000
• Density	84/km2 (218/sq mi)
• Demonym	Coloniero/a
Time zone	UTC−4 (VET)
Postal code	1030
Area code(s)	0243, 0244
Climate	Cfb
Website	www.coloniatovar.net

Colonia Tovar is a cool mountain town in Venezuela. It is the capital of the Tovar municipality in Aragua state. This unique town is about 65.5 kilometers (40.7 miles) west of Caracas.

It was founded on April 8, 1843. A group of 390 immigrants from a German state called the Grand Duchy of Baden started the town. Because of its German roots, Colonia Tovar is often called "the Germany of the Caribbean." The town's economy relies mostly on farming and tourism. Colonia Tovar is famous for its cool-weather crops like peaches, strawberries, and potatoes. Since 1990, the town has grown a lot, from 3,373 people to 21,000 in 2016.

History of Colonia Tovar

Between 1806 and 1918, a state called the Grand Duchy of Baden existed in what is now southwest Germany. Most of the first settlers of Colonia Tovar came from this area.

A company was formed to help create the new colony. Colonel Agostino Codazzi and Ramón Díaz were part of this company. Martín Tovar y Ponte, the Count of Tovar, helped guarantee the project. Codazzi found a place for the colony that looked and felt like the German region. The land was given by Manuel Felipe Tovar, the Count's nephew.

On October 14, 1841, the area was named Palmar del Tuy. Building work began to prepare for the new settlers. The company then went to a town called Endingen in Germany to choose immigrants. Contracts were signed with 389 immigrants, mostly from the Kaiserstuhl area. They left Germany for Venezuela on December 18, 1842.

The Grand Duchy of Baden was a state in Germany. The first settlers of Colonia Tovar came from here.

The immigrants traveled by river and then by ship from France. They arrived in La Guaira, Venezuela, on March 4, 1843. There was a smallpox sickness on the ship, so they had to stay in quarantine for a while.

On March 31, they traveled to the cities of Maracay and La Victoria. The President of Venezuela, Carlos Soublette, welcomed them. Finally, on April 8, 1843, the settlers arrived at Palmar del Tuy. This day is known as the founding day of Colonia Tovar. The town was named after Manuel Felipe Tovar, who donated the land. Among the first residents were scientists, writers, and painters.

At first, the town focused on growing coffee. As the "colonieros" (the settlers) grew, they started growing other crops like vegetables and fruits. These were sold in markets in Caracas and La Victoria. Making wooden barrels also became a way to earn money.

For many years, it was hard to get to Colonia Tovar. This made the town quite isolated. Because of this, some people left the town. However, in the 1960s, Colonia Tovar became a popular place for tourists. This brought a lot of money and new people to the town. Today, it is one of the richest towns in Venezuela and has a high quality of life.

The people living there now are descendants of the first settlers. They speak Spanish, but many also speak a special German dialect.

Geography and Nature

Colonia Tovar is located high in the mountains, between 1,600 and 2,200 meters (about 5,250 to 7,200 feet) above sea level. It's part of the Venezuelan Coastal Range. Roads connect it to Caracas and La Victoria. The weather is cool and mild, with an average temperature of about 16.8°C (62.2°F). It's often misty, especially in the mornings and evenings.

The town is in northern Aragua state. It has a unique "L" shape. The Caribbean Sea is to the north, and Caracas is to the east. Colonia Tovar is in a rugged area with many creeks and streams. The misty mountain views are typical of the Venezuelan Coastal Range. Codazzi Peak, at 2,429 meters (7,969 feet), is north of the town. The main type of forest here is a cloud forest.

The area around the colony has many houses, often called "chalets," that are spread out. Farmers here grow flowers, strawberries, tomatoes, and peaches. There are also workshops that make ceramics, sausages, cookies, and candies.

Rivers, Plants, and Animals

Colonia Tovar has many rivers and streams. Some flow to the Caribbean Sea, others to the Orinoco River, and some to Lake Valencia. The Aragua River, which is south of Colonia Tovar, is formed by several smaller rivers coming from the high mountains around the town. The Tuy River also starts near the town.

The town is located in a valley that looks like an amphitheater. Colonia Tovar is close to Codazzi Peak Natural Monument and Henri Pittier National Park. These areas have many different climate zones and plants.

The plants here include many epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants. These include orchids, bromeliads, and different types of tree ferns.

Colonia Tovar is home to many animals, especially birds. There are 578 different bird species recorded! Mammals and snakes also live here.

A typical house in Colonia Tovar.

The animals here are common in cloud forests. These forests are special because of their unique climate. You might see the beautiful golden-headed quetzal or the toucan beak emerald bottle bird. Blue hummingbirds and tile swallows are also common. One type of monkey, the black howler, lives here too. You can also find the Tara butterfly and the mountaineer armadillo. A special frog, the El Tovar Glass Frog (Celsiella revocata), is named after this region.

Economy and Products

Farming helped the "colonieros" spread out in the valley. Fruits and vegetables from Colonia Tovar are sold all over Venezuela, especially in Caracas, Valencia, and Maracay. Farmers and crafters often set up markets with stalls that have red roofs.

Colonia Tovar is known for making wooden barrels. The colonieros also produce other German-inspired foods and goods. These include peaches, strawberries, vegetables, bread, sausages, pastry, beer, and ceramics.

Since the 1960s, tourism has grown a lot. Many cottages have become hotels, and traditional huts have been turned into restaurants. Tourism, especially from Caracas, Valencia, and Maracay, is now the main way people make money in Colonia Tovar.

Language and Culture

A painting of Colonia Tovar from 1844 by Ferdinand Bellermann.

Colonia Tovar used to be a very closed community. The founders wanted to keep their German traditions alive. They built houses that looked like those from their home region in Germany. The German dialect from Baden was spoken, and people kept traditional food and clothing. For a time, people were not allowed to marry outside the colony to keep their culture strong.

Even though Spanish is the official language of Venezuela, some people in Colonia Tovar still speak a special German dialect called Alemán Coloniero. This language was passed down from older generations. It has changed over time and includes some Spanish words.

The houses, buildings, and shops in Colonia Tovar have a unique German style. This gives the town its special look. The Church of St. Martin de Tours in the town center is a copy of a church in Endingen, Germany, where many founders came from.

In 1940, Spanish became the official language, and people were allowed to marry outside the colony. Today, the people of Colonia Tovar are part of Venezuelan culture, but they still keep many of their old customs. They are known for their craftsmanship in wood and ceramics. There's even a school that teaches students how to make and repair musical instruments like violins.

Delicious Food

The food in Colonia Tovar is heavily influenced by its German origins. Popular desserts include strudels, cakes, and strawberries with cream. You can also find traditional German dishes like Kaiserschmarrn and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, also known as Black Forest cake. The town is also famous for its German sausages and local beer.

Fun Dances and Celebrations

The Church San Martin de Tours looks like a church in Endingen, Germany.

A mural showing scenes from Colonia Tovar.

The Oktoberfest is a big festival held every October. Sometimes, music groups from Germany are invited to play traditional music. There is also an International Festival of Chamber Music.

April 8 is a special day because it's the town's founding date. There are cultural activities in Plaza Bolívar, including a parade, dances, and cultural exchanges. The Queen of Colonia Tovar is also chosen on this day.

During Carnival, you can see parades with unique characters called Jokilis and Gorilas. The Jokili is a character from Germany that looks like a mix of a jester and a harlequin. They wear a red suit with bells and a special wooden mask. They carry a carved wooden stick with a pig's bladder, which they playfully tap on people.

St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of travelers, is honored on November 11. The church has a statue of this saint that the founders brought from Germany. On the same day, there's a Festival of Flowers, Fruits, and Crafts, where the best products win prizes.

Two music festivals happen every year. One is the International Festival of Chamber Music Colonia Tovar, which celebrates the town's cultural heritage. The other is the Friends of Chamber Music Colonia Tovar.

During Easter, Colonia Tovar celebrates with traditional German "nests." Children look for hidden Easter bunnies and eggs. The following Monday, residents go to the Chapel of the Resurrection for a blessing of crops and food.

Places to Visit

Shops selling fruits and vegetables in Colonia Tovar.

The City Museum teaches visitors about the history, customs, and traditions of the German people who founded the town.

Breikanz Mall has many shops that sell crafts unique to Germany and the region. Its restaurants offer delicious steaks, cold meats, and German sausages.

Codazzi Peak is a mountain that reaches 2,429 meters (7,969 feet) high. It's a national monument named after the Italian geographer Agostino Codazzi. The Panarigua Archaeological Museum is also in this area.

Tovar Brewery was the first Venezuelan beer made in Colonia Tovar in 1843. The way they make the beer has stayed the same since then. It follows strict German quality rules.

Many buildings in the town center, especially around Plaza Bolívar, are part of the historical area. The most famous buildings are the Church of St. Martin of Tours, the Casa Codazzi, and the Old School. You'll find many restaurants, cafes, and craft shops here.

The Anno Domine Museum, also in the town center, displays items that belonged to the first settlers. It also has documents and paintings from Baroness Elizabeth von Seller.

Media

• KAY Radio

Sister Cities

Colonia Tovar has "sister city" relationships with other towns around the world. This means they share culture and friendship.

Images for kids

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  Agostino Codazzi monument in Colonia Tovar

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  The Church San Martin de Tours was based in the church of Endingen in Germany.

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  Mural representative of Colonia Tovar.

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  View of a sale of fruits and vegetables in Colonia Tovar.

See also

In Spanish: Colonia Tovar para niños