Barcelona, Venezuela


Barcelona, originally called Nueva Barcelona, is the capital of Anzoátegui State in Venezuela. Together with Puerto La Cruz, Lechería and Guanta, Barcelona forms Barcelona-Puerto La Cruz with a population of approximately 950,000. It was founded in 1671.
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History

Spanish colonization

Unlike Puerto La Cruz, which was mostly built in the 20th century, Barcelona has a mish-mash of historical and modern architecture from its several years of growth and development. The settlement of Nueva Barcelona del Cerro Santo, was originally established by the Spanish conquistador Joan Orpí in 1638. It was later re-founded and populated by governor Sancho Fernández de Angulo two kilometres from the original settlement, and by a small community of Catalan colonists around 1671. Barcelona was one of the provinces under the governmental authority of the New Andalusia Province, and referred to commonly as New Barcelona. One of the remaining buildings of this period is the Museo de Anzoátegui, considered the oldest building in the city.
Many of the historical areas of Barcelona centre its main plazas: Bolivar, Miranda and Boyacá. The Plaza Boyacá was the main settlement in Barcelona, and is fronted by the Iglesia El Carmen and the city's cathedral, the Catedral de San Cristobal, built between 1748 and 1773. Today, the cathedral houses the embalmed remains of San Celestino in a glass reliquary in a chapel off the main nave, which dates back to 1744.
By 1761, the territory had been delineated by the population of Pozuelos, west to the headlands of the River Unare, east to the Guanipa plateau and south to the Orinoco River.

Venezuelan independence

After forced abdications of the King by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Spanish territories in the Americas began to agitate for autonomy. In Venezuela a series of Junta governments took authority in the name of the deposed King Ferdinand after 19 April 1810, that led to the formation of local juntas. A meeting was convened in the city of Barcelona to proclaim the independence of the province of Barcelona, on the 27 April. On 11 July 1810, the Supreme Junta of Caracas included Barcelona Province as one of the provinces that did not recognize the authority of the Spanish government. This led to a civil conflict between those who wanted independence from the Spanish crown and many who still recognized the authority of Spain.
The return of Francisco de Miranda to Venezuela ultimately led to the Declaration of Independence on 5 July 1811, which was quickly followed by a Civil War between those provinces who remained loyal to Spain, and the Cadiz Cortes, and those that sought complete independence. In 1811, during the Venezuelan Independence War, La Casa Fuerte, a building near the centre of town, located on the Avenida 5 de Julio set the scene for the period. Built on the ruins of the old Convento de San Francisco, to house the administrative government of the area, but turned into a fortification by Republican defenders to protect the city from the attacks of the Spanish authorities. On 17 April 1817, the house was taken and destroyed by royalist forces, who killed all 1600 people barricaded inside.
After the fall of the First Republic, the royalist authorities continued to maintain the limits and structures of the province of Barcelona. But in 1821, it was integrated into the province of Guyana, and along with Cumana and Margarita, it began to function as part of the Department of the Orinoco.
Barcelona's autonomy was re-established in 1830, and became a center during a second round of Independence battles, where important men like General José Antonio Páez headquartered, or after Independence when Antonio Guzmán Blanco spent time.

Geography

Barcelona is located in the state of Anzoátegui along the northern coast of Venezuela, near the foothills of the western cordillera region. Its northern ocean boundary is peppered with many beaches, including Isla de Plata, Conoma, Arapito, Cangrejo, Lecherias and Playa Mansa, which cater to the tourist industry or local populations. Barcelona is the gateway to the Mochima National Park, an area of islands and islets that extends across the northern coast, and was designated a protected national monument.
Its hydrography is dominated by the River Neverí, which crosses the centre of town, and has been known for seasons of floodings caused excess volume. In 1972, the governor Francisco Arreaza Arreaza granted authority for the construction of cities canals to reduce these seasonal fluctuations. Similarly, the River Aragua, which also circle the settlement has been prone to flooding, most recently in 1999 in the area known as El Viñedo.

Climate

Owing to its location in the dry belt of the southern Caribbean Sea, Barcelona has a hot semi-arid climate with a wet season from June to September and a dry season from December to April. A strong rain shadow and jets parallel to the coast from the westerly monsoon winds during summer serves to preclude rainfall.

City

Over time Barcelona reached the status of town and municipal seat within this territory, growing into a historical centre of industry and commerce, causing sprawl that has started to meld the other metro-poles in the region: principally the tourist-oriented
In Barcelona, where the El Morro tourism complex is located. An immense network of canals built to house thousands of local and international tourists in houses, condominiums, apartments and hotels. The complex is home to many marinas and boatyards and is a popular cruising destination for yachtsmen and sport fishing. The canals criss-cross the complex, affording virtually every dwelling access to the sea. One of the most ambitious developments within El Morro is the Maremares Resort and Spa, originally built by Daniel Camejo. Close to El Morro is the modern shopping center Centro Comercial Plaza Mayor, built in the colorful Dutch colonial style, similar to those found in Curaçao.

Transport

Generál [José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport] is the principal aerodrome in this region, with connections to other Venezuelan states and to the nation's capital. In addition to bus services throughout the State of Anzoátegui, there are also maritime connections to the neighboring islands/islets and a ferry to Margarita Island.

Places of interest

The Barcelona Metropolitan Area has a variety of historic sites that tell how was the place at that time. The city of Barcelona is full of historic sites, this is because it has been featured in various battles between the Spanish and Natives for its colonization. Likewise, this city has been characterized as religious and venerates various saints.
Economic activity is also history in Barcelona. There was great economic exchange through sea ports between the city and the rest of the country.
Each of these sites are intact at the time its various monuments, museums and cathedrals, which offers its visitors the most complete information about the history of the place.Cathedral of San Cristóbal of Barcelona: the Church of San Cristobal was begun in 1748, but due to an earthquake that left nearly destroyed, it was not until 1773 that the temple was finished.
Perhaps most important feature of this church is that under the main altar is a reliquary buried with a bone of each of the seven saints: St. Severino, St. Eustatius, St. Facundo, St. Pedro Alcantara, St. Pacific, St. Athanasius, and St. Pascual Bailon.
Later in 1777, the Bishop of Puerto Rico, Manuel Jiménez Pérez, brought him from Rome to the church the remains of the martyr St. Celestino, who was one of the main actors of the Crusades. His remains were placed in a shrine located in Baroque and a small chapel on the left wing of the church.
The martyr St. Celestino has been revered since then by the inhabitants of Barcelona and in 1960 was proclaimed Third patron saint of Barcelona. Their celebrations are held on 3 and 4 May of each year.Casa de la Cultura is a restored colonial house that was donated to the city of Barcelona for the Otero Silva family. On the second floor of the house is a large permanent exhibition of works by modern painters representative of Venezuela, which is owned by the family.Basílica del Cristo de Jose is located on the National Highway of the Coast between Barcelona and Puerto Píritu.
Also known as "El Cristo de los Viajeros', where the faithful come daily that travel to be entrusted to him to protect them in their journey. This Basilica was built by Dr. Mariano Adrián de la Rosa with personal assets in gratitude for favors received.Casa Fuerte de Barcelona: this building was a former Franciscan convent transformed into a fortress by the initiative of General Pedro María Freites and Santiago Mariño.
The Casa Fuerte provided shelter to the people of this area before the invasion in 1817 by royalist Aldana.
The ruins of this building were seen as a reminder of the slaughter of April 7 of 1817, where old men, women and children were murdered by royalist forces.
To reach this historic site has to cross the Neverí river by the Boyacá bridge, and turn on the small plaza at the end of the bridge. After crossing Neverí river again, follow straight on Miranda Avenue, four blocks ahead. Visitors come to the 5 de Julio Avenue where it will turn to the left, there you will see the Plaza Bolivar and Plaza Miranda. The Casa Fuerte is opposite the Plaza Bolivar.Plaza Boyacá: since 1897, the city's central square is the Plaza Boyacá in honor of the most important battle won by the eponymous hero of the state, Major General José Antonio Anzoátegui. His statue stands in the center of the plaza.
This plaza was the largest in Barcelona Colonial and little has changed since its construction in 1671. the Government House and the Iglesia de San Cristóbal are still facing each other on both sides of the plaza.
To get to the Plaza Boyacá, follow by 5 de Julio Avenue, and walk five blocks, turn left on the run 11, walk three blocks and cross over to the left on 3rd Street, one block and cross move left to follow the run 12 to the plaza.Plaza Bolívar: it's a public plaza located on Avenue 5 July in Barcelona. Pays tribute to the maximum military and political leader of the wars of independence of Venezuela, General Simon Bolivar.Plaza MirandaTheater Cajigal: it's a beautiful 19th-century building, built in the Neoclassical style.
This theater is small and charming, has a capacity for 300 people. Here are several plays and concerts.

Education

The city is home to numerous educational institutions, among which the following stand out:
  • Universidad de Oriente – Núcleo Anzoátegui, UDO. This is the main house of studies in the area and one of the most recognized nationally; it is located on Avenida Argimiro Gabaldón, at the height of the Pozuelos sector.
  • National University of Tourism – Main Campus
  • University Institute of Technology "General Pedro María Freites"
  • Universidad Central de Venezuela, UCV – Centro Regional Barcelona, one of the most popular, located on Avenida Centurión in Nueva Barcelona
  • Universidad Nacional Experimental Simón Rodríguez, UNESR, one of the most recognized. Is located on Avenida Caracas, diagonal to Plaza La Raza, and is currently building a new campus on Avenida Costanera.
  • National Open University, UNA
  • Universidad Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho, UGMA – Main Campus
  • Universidad Santa María, USM – Eastern Campus
  • Instituto Universitario Politécnico Santiago Mariño, IUPSM – Main Campus

Sports

Basketball

The city is also home to the professional basketball team Marinos de Anzoátegui 11 times champion of the Venezuelan Professional Basketball League. They play at the Polideportivo Simón Bolívar better known as La Caldera del Diablo which has a capacity for 5,500 spectators.

Football

The city has the José Antonio Anzoátegui Stadium with a capacity for 40,000 fans, venue of the 2007 Copa América where matches were played by teams from Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Ecuador. It also hosted the 2009 South American U-20 Championship, where Venezuela qualified for its first World Cup in this same stadium. This stadium is also the home of the state's soccer team: Deportivo Anzoátegui, whose first team participates in the First Division of Venezuela.

International relations

Barcelona is twinned with the following cities:

Notable people