Facade of the Mariano Montilla Barracks.Source
Fachada del Cuartel Mariano Montilla. Fuente
Knowing the military architecture of Venezuela.
Conociendo la Arquitectura militar de Venezuela.
Hello friends, with much respect and affection I invite you to take a walk through the Military Architecture of my Country, Venezuela. Come on, join me!
Hola amigos, con mucho respeto y cariño les invito a dar un paseo por la Arquitectura Militar de mi País, Venezuela. ¡Vamos, acompáñenme!
Photograph owned by the author.
Fotografía propiedad del autor.
Brief historical review
Breve reseña histórica.
One of the Latin American countries with the greatest military architecture is Venezuela. In our country, the northernmost and the gateway to South America there are more than 60 colonial military fortresses, the cause of this large amount of military architecture is due to our geographical location in front of the Caribbean Sea and our Atlantic facade, in front of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, in addition, Venezuela has within its territorial space several Islands with a strategic position to enter our territory. At the time of the Spanish conquest and colonization, our coasts and islands were permanent battle sites, specifically by corsairs and pirates enemies of Spain who wanted to take over the immense wealth that our land still has. The constant confrontations between the Spanish conquerors and the barbarians who sailed along the Venezuelan coasts made the Spanish crown authorize the construction of many military fortresses: Forts, Castles, Barracks ... in strategic places for the defense of their royal dominions in the American continent.
Uno de los países de américa latina con mayor arquitectura militar es Venezuela. En nuestro país, el más norteño y la puerta de América del Sur existen más de 60 fortalezas de carácter militar colonial, la causa de esta gran cantidad de arquitectura castrense se debe a nuestra localización geográfica frente al mar Caribe y nuestra fachada atlántica, frente a las aguas del océano Atlántico, además, Venezuela tiene dentro de su espacio territorial varias Islas con posición estratégica para entrar en nuestro territorio. En la época de la conquista y de la colonización española nuestras costas e islas fueron escenarios permanentes de combates, específicamente por corsarios y piratas enemigos de españa que querían adueñarse de las inmensas riquezas que todavía posee nuestro suelo. Los enfrentamientos constantes entre los conquistadores españoles y bárbaros que navegaban en costas venezolanas hizo que la corona española autorizara la construcción de muchas fortalezas militares: Fortines, Castillos, Cuarteles... en lugares estratégicos para la defensa de sus dominios reales en el continente americano.
In one of the guard post at Castillo de Santa Rosa, on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. Note the thickness of the concrete, the dome, and one of the three surveillance windows.Photograph owned by the author.
En uno de los puesto de vigilancias del Castillo de Santa Rosa, en la Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta. Nótese el espesor del concreto, la cúpula y una de las tres ventanas de vigilancia.Fotografía propiedad del autor.
At the time when Europeans' voyages of exploration began on a large scale, the kingdoms of Europe were going through the vicissitudes of an acute economic crisis, for which reason English, Dutch, Portuguese and French armed crews arrived in Venezuela with the order to seize the territories of the province and loot the coastal cities. Spain was forced to maintain its empire, building castles, bastions, barracks and fortifications that protected the cities of the province. Source
En la época en la que comienza, a gran escala, los viajes de exploración de los europeos, los reinos de Europa atraviesan las vicisitudes de una aguda crisis económica, por lo que tripulaciones armadas inglesas, holandesas, portuguesas y francesas arribaban a Venezuela con el fin de apoderarse de los territorios de la provincia y saquear las ciudades costeras. España se vio en la obligación de mantener su imperio, construyendo castillos, baluartes, cuarteles y fortificaciones que resguardaban las ciudades de la provincia. Fuente
With my wife in one of the corners of the Castle next to some powerful cannons. Castles of Santa Rosa on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. Photograph owned by the author.
Con mi esposa en una de las esquinas del Castillo al lado de unos poderosos cañones. Castillos de Santa Rosa en la Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta. Fotografía propiedad del autor.
My three children in one of the corners of the Castle next to some powerful cannons. Castles of Santa Rosa on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. Photograph owned by the author.
Mis tres hijos en una de las esquinas del Castillo al lado de unos poderosos cañones. Castillos de Santa Rosa en la Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta. Fotografía propiedad del autor.
My wife in the central courtyard of the Castle. Note the slab-like stone floor of the castle. Castles of Santa Rosa on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. Photograph owned by the author.
Mi esposa en el patio central del Castillo. Nótese el piso de lajas del Castillo. Castillos de Santa Rosa en la Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta. Fotografía propiedad del autor.
The Castillo de Santa Rosa has an interesting history for Venezuelans, it turns out that in the middle of the war of independence Luisa Cáceres Díaz de Arismendi, the heroine and hero of the Venezuelan Independence, was taken to one of the dungeons of that military fortification, wife of the General Juan Bautista Arismendi, leader of the patriot army of the east.
El Castillo de Santa Rosa tiene una historia interesante para los venezolanos, resulta que en plena guerra de independencia fue detenida y llevada a uno de los calabozos de esa fortificación militar Luisa Cáceres Díaz de Arismendi, heroína y prócer de la Independencia de Venezuela, esposa del General Juan Bautista Arismendi, líder del ejército patriota del oriente.
In the photograph, my twin sons @manuelmilano and @memj0310 next to the painting of the Heroine Luisa Cáceres de Arismendi, the other painting reflects the moment in which she was arrested. Castles of Santa Rosa on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. Photograph owned by the author.
En la fotografía mis hijos gemelos @manuelmilano y @memj0310 al lado de la pintura de la Heroína Luisa Cáceres de Arismendi, la otra pintura refleja el momento en el cual fue detenida. Castillos de Santa Rosa en la Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta. Fotografía propiedad del autor.
Dungeon in which the Venezuelan heroine was imprisoned. Note the simple construction, wooden roof with clay tiles,
terracotta floor or clay bricks and a reduced space inside. Castles of Santa Rosa on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. Photograph owned by the author.
Calabozo en el cual estuvo presa la heroína venezolana. Nótese la construcción sencilla, techo de madera con tejas de arcilla, piso de terracota o ladrillos de arcilla y un espacio reducido en su interior. Castillos de Santa Rosa en la Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta. Fotografía propiedad del autor.
My wife and one of my twin sons leaving the Castillos de Santa Rosa on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. Photograph owned by the author.
Mi esposa y uno de mis hijos gemelos saliendo del Castillos de Santa Rosa en la Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta. Fotografía propiedad del autor.
👉 [ENG] Photographic memory. Military Architecture in Venezuela. 👇👇👇
👉 [ESP] Memoria fotográfica. Arquitectura Militar en Venezuela. 👇👇👇
Facade of the Fort of Santa Rosa de La Eminencia, popularly known as the Castillo de Santa Rosa and located in the City of La Asunción (Nueva Esparta State, Venezuela) Source
Fachada del Fuerte de Santa Rosa de La Eminencia, conocido popularmente como el Castillo de Santa Rosa y ubicado en la Ciudad de La Asunción (Estado Nueva Esparta, Venezuela) Fuente
The Fortín Solano or Mirador de Solano is located in the San Esteban National Park, in the city of Puerto Cabello, in the Carabobo state of Venezuela. Source
El Fortín Solano o Mirador de Solano se encuentra ubicado en el Parque Nacional San Esteban, en la ciudad de Puerto Cabello, en el estado Carabobo de Venezuela. Fuente
The Real Fortaleza de Santiago de Arroyo de Araya. Source
La Real Fortaleza de Santiago de Arroyo de Araya. Fuente
Castillo de Araya, the oldest fortress in Venezuela. Note the solid blocks of mortar made from elements from the region itself. Source
Castillo de Araya, la fortaleza más antigua de Venezuela. Nótese los bloques sólidos de argamasa fabricados de los elementos de la propia región. Fuente
The Castillo San Felipe is a work of military architecture, also known as Castillo Libertador, located in the Agustín Armario naval base in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.Photography
El Castillo San Felipe es una obra de arquitectura militar, también conocida como Castillo Libertador, localizada en la base naval Agustín Armario de Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Fotografía
Castillo San Carlos de Borromeo is a military construction from the time of the viceroyalty of Nueva Esparta, located in Pampatar Bay, Margarita Island, Venezuela. Photography
El Castillo San Carlos de Borromeo, es una construcción militar de la época del virreinato de Nueva Esparta, ubicado en la bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía
Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia is a fortification built in the 17th century near Cumaná, Venezuela, Photography
Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia es una fortificación construida en el siglo XVII cerca de Cumaná, Venezuel. Fotografía
The castle of San Carlos de la Barra is a construction of colonial Spain, located on the "island" of San Carlos, in the state of Zulia, Venezuela. Source
El castillo de San Carlos de la Barra es una construcción de la España colonial, ubicada en la "isla" de San Carlos, en el estado Zulia, Venezuela. Fuente
Cuartel San Carlos is a colonial military building in Caracas, Venezuela Façade
Indeed, another marvelous architectural heritage from Venezuela! There are a lot of powerful stories behind these ancient stone walls that contributed to your country's independence. These military fortifications serve as a remarkable tribute to all the brave soldiers and silent heroes who have lost their lives for the freedom of your citizens. Happy to see your family having a wonderful tour of the landmark! As always, excellent article @marcosmilano71!
Hello friend @storiesoferne. Good morning from Venezuela. I reiterate my respect and my gratitude to you and this community. The truth is I am very grateful, now with more enthusiasm I am going to use this label for the value they give to its members. Infinite blessings. Regarding the visit to historical places, my family and I used to travel but now it is very difficult because we sold our car and because of the country's hyperinflation. There is no cash, no gasoline in this oil country. For that reason even public transport is difficult. I have several similar photographs. Fortunately we were able to travel and meet. As for the story behind each fort it is true. Yesterday (February 12) Venezuela commemorated Youth Day in honor of the heroic boys who defended the Republic in the Battle of Victory that occurred in 1814 within the framework of our Independence. A big virtual hug. Blessings.
We hope that the economic situation in Venezuela would become better soon and would improve your lives and your fellow citizens. My salute also to the heroic boys who were instrumental in your country's independence! For that, they truly deserve a special national celebration called Youth Day to commemorate their courageous service. More blessings!
That is very interesting, the architecture shows how sufficient were Venezuelans. great and descripted post, by the way you guys make a lovely couple. good luck.
Hahahahaha thank you very much. Yes, I love my wife, I admire her and I respect her. She is extraordinary and a very good friend, mother, wife, professional, and exemplary citizen. Thanks for your comment. Greetings and infinite blessings.
The sharp edges of the structure brought on by the star layout of the military fortification create an intimidating appearance that serves its purpose to ward off pirates and invaders.
Hello friend @discoveringarni Good evening from Venezuela. Yes it is. Here I leave you the photo of the Castillo de San Felipe also called Castillo Libertador Puerto Cabello Carabobo State Venezuela. I am also going to leave you some original plans of an investigation carried out and published by a teaching colleague, Vanesa Ávila Sánchez, Professor of Geography and History at the Pedagogical Institute of Miranda José Manuel Siso Martínez. Libertador Experimental Pedagogical University. Research Member of the "Lisandro Alvarado" Geohistorical Research Center. UPEL-IPMJMSM. Master in History of the Americas at the Andrés Bello Caracas Catholic University. Link Quoted
Pentagonal, Hexagonal and Heptagonal Trace of the Bastioned Permanent Modern Fortification. (Fernández de Medrano, S. ‘The Perfect Architect in Military Art’, Brussels 1700). In Manuel Zapatero, 1977. Note that the pentagonal was the one adopted by Courten.
Impresionante, cuentan con una gran cantidad de fortalezas, que bueno que se conservan y se mantienen, son muy imponentes
Hola @cryptoxicate Buenas noches. Gracias por tu comentario. Si, en Venezuela la arquitectura militar, civil y religiosa es abundante y variada. En cuanto a esta publicación me hubiera gustado poder mostrar más fotografías pero se me hace muy difícil por la lentitud de Internet. Aquí es pésimo el servicio, a veces paso todo el día y parte de la noche tratando de copiar y subir imágenes. La fotografías propias son aún más difícil de subir. Afortunadamente he podido publicar, a pesar... muy a pesar del pésimo servicio de internet. Yo conozco varias fortificaciones de este tipo, las he visitado y son verdaderamente impresionantes, majestuosas, imponentes. Muchas se conservan pero otras se han deteriorado con el paso del tiempo y por el descuido gubernamental. Gracias por comentar esta publicación. Saludos e infinitas bendiciones desde Venezuela. Un fuerte abrazo virtual.
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Wow! The front entrance looks like a castle of ancient times.
Hello friend @afterglow Yes it is.
Hola amigo @afterglow Si así es.