Paseo Los Próceres facts for kids
The Paseo Los Próceres (which means Walkway of the Heroes in English) is a famous monument in Caracas, Venezuela. It's located near Fort Tiuna and the Military Academy. This special walkway has statues of the heroes who fought for Venezuela's independence. You'll also find fountains, stairs, and gardens there. Since 1993, the Paseo Los Próceres has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
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History of the Walkway
The Paseo Los Próceres was officially opened in 1956 by President Marcos Pérez Jiménez. He originally called it El Sistema de Nacionalidad (The System of Nationality). This name honored the independence struggles of several South American countries: Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The monument was built to show the importance of Venezuela's military history. It's part of a larger system that connects different areas with a big road and walking path.
What You'll See at the Monument
The monument is marked by two lines of tall lighting poles. It's located next to Fort Tiuna, which is Venezuela's largest military complex. The walkway connects to the Military University and features a large parade ground. You'll see tall stone blocks called monoliths dedicated to heroes. There are also oval fountains, beautiful gardens, and fancy decorations. Some parts even remind you of ancient Greece, like a statue of Poseidon, the god of water.
The monument stretches for about two kilometers (1.2 miles). It has roads for cars and grandstands on the sides where people can watch events. In the middle, you'll find fountains, gardens, four monoliths, and huge statues honoring the heroes of independence. This is where big military parades and other official government events take place.
The Heroes' Monument
The main Monument to the Heroes is made of four large blocks. Two are tall and vertical, made of light-colored marble. The other two are horizontal and made of dark marble. Each horizontal block is 30 meters (98 feet) long. On these horizontal blocks, you'll see bronze statues of important independence heroes. These include Simón Bolívar, Antonio José de Sucre, Rafael Urdaneta, and Francisco de Miranda, among others.
On the tall monoliths, the names of Venezuelan heroes are carved. You'll also find the names of four important battles that led to the independence of these South American countries: Ayacucho, Boyacá, Carabobo, and Pichincha. These battles are also shown in detailed carvings. The Paseo de los Próceres is a wide avenue with stands on the sides for watching military parades and official events.
The entire monument was designed in a classic style. Its goal was to be a grand landmark in Caracas, similar to the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Other Important Areas
The Paseo Los Próceres is part of a larger system called the "System of Nationality." This system includes other important areas:
- The Paseo Los Ilustres (Boulevard of the Illustrious) is a large road with a walking path in the middle. It honors important people from the nation. This area is a meeting point for both civilians and military personnel. The Armed Forces Club, where military members hold social events, is also located here.
- The Paseo de los Símbolos (Boulevard of the Symbols) features bronze sculptures on marble bases with water. Created in 1957, these sculptures represent Venezuela's national symbols: the coat of arms, the flag, and the national anthem.
- On the Paseo Los Precursores (Boulevard of the Precursors), you'll find a bronze sculpture of a Native Venezuelan on horseback. This statue honors the country's indigenous people. There's also a tall obelisk and mosaic paths. The design of the complex is very symmetrical, giving it a calm feeling. You can also see carvings from 1957 on one of the walls.
As you walk along the boulevard, you'll discover other statues of nymph figures among the fountains and paths. There are also murals that tell the history of Venezuela from ancient times before the Spanish arrived.
See also
In Spanish: Paseo Los Próceres para niños
