Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas

The campus of the Universidad Central de Venezuela was designed by Carlos Raúl Villanueva and built mostly between 1940 and 1960 as a deliberate synthesis of architecture, sculpture and painting: covered walkways link the buildings, and works by Alexander Calder, Fernand Léger, Jean Arp, Victor Vasarely and others were commissioned into the fabric rather than added afterwards. It was inscribed by UNESCO in 2000 as an outstanding example of modern architecture.

Background

The campus stands on the Hacienda Ibarra, bought in 1942 so the university could grow beyond its limited space at the Saint Francis Convent. Building ran from 1944 until 1967, and Villanueva, who drew ideas from visits to France in 1944 and 1948, supervised the work until the late 1960s, when failing health left some buildings still at the design stage. The result covers about 2 km2 with forty buildings. The northern half is a Botanical Garden, sports grounds lie to the east, west and south, and the faculties meet at the centre around the Tierra de nadie, a green space that belongs to no discipline. The World Monuments Fund placed the campus on its lists in 2010 and 2014.

Source: Wikipedia, "University City of Caracas"

Highlights

• The Aula Magna - the concert hall with Calder's floating acoustic Clouds overhead.
• The Plaza Cubierta - the covered square with murals and sculpture built into it.
• The commissioned art - work by Leger, Arp, Vasarely and others integrated into the buildings.
• The covered walkways - the linked circulation Villanueva designed for the climate.

When to go

December to April is driest. Term time is when the campus is alive but also busiest. Guided access to the Aula Magna needs arranging in advance.

Before you go

It is a working university and access to interiors including the Aula Magna is restricted and needs arranging. Maintenance has been a serious problem and some works and buildings are deteriorating. Wandering unaccompanied is not always permitted.

Nearby

Caracas Old Town is northwest, and El Avila rises beyond it.

Key facts