Maracay Museums and Art Galleries

(Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela)

Although Maracay is a thoroughly modern commercial city, its heritage and history are highly regarded by its people. Given its connection with the Air Force, it is no surprise to find a stunning collection of vintage and veteran aircraft in its famous Aeronautical Museum.

Contemporary art is as popular here as it is across the continent. General Simon Bolivar's image and name are everywhere in Venezuela, although you will have to go to Caracas for his museum and house. However, the hacienda where his family lived is just 20 km / 12 miles from Maracay, at nearby San Mateo.

Aeronautical Museum (Museo Aeronautico)

Address: Avenida Santos Michelena, Maracay, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 0243 233 3812
Maracay has become famous for its Aeronautical Museum, the only such one in the country. There are around 35 planes and four helicopters on display here, many of which are, in history of aviation terms, vintage or veteran, dating between the 1920s and 1950s. Particular highlights include a large statue of Juan Vicente Gomez and also a French Caudron G3, which comes in perfect condition and is still in full working order. Worth noting, it is possible to arrange tours outside of the weekend opening hours.
Open hours: Saturday and Sunday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: free

Anthropology Museum (Museo de Anthropologie)

Address: Plaza Girardot, Maracay, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 0243 247 2521
This striking arcaded building was another erected by order of General Gomez on the Plaza Girardot. It now houses the city's anthropological and history museum, which displays mainly pre-Hispanic artefacts from the many indigenous groups living in the Aragua region. Particularly interesting are the stone axes, the deformed flat skulls and the prehistoric animal remains.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 15:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 12:00
Admission: free

Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo)

Address: Avenida Sucre / Avenida 19 de Abril, Maracay, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 0243 511 6981
This small museum holds temporary and travelling exhibitions of predominantly Venezuelan artists working in the field of contemporary and modern art. The growth of talent and interest in this field across the whole of South America is amazing, and many artists are now well known internationally. It is worth calling in to see what's on during your stay. Visitors often choose to combine a trip to this gallery with a visit to the neighbouring Aeronautical Museum, or a stroll around the Plaza Felipe Guevara Rojas, one block to the south.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 12:30, 13:30 to 17:00
Admission: free

Bolivar Museum (Museo Bolivariano)

Address: Corners of Plaza El Venezolano / Esquinas San Jacinto / Traposos, Avenida Universidad, Caracas, Venezuela, VE
Tel: +58 0212 541 2563
Set in an unspoilt colonial building next door to Simon Bolivar's house (the Casa Natal de Bolivar), this museum is located in nearby Caracas and is no more than an hour and a half away, where it displays artefacts relating to the great man's life and work. The house where he was born and baptised has been renovated and dressed with some sizeable paintings representing his life, achievements and battles. His stone baptismal font can still be seen in its original position.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 12:00, 14:30 to 17:30
Admission: free

More information about Caracas museums.