San Felipe El Fuerte Park, "The Venezuelan Pompeii"Called this way by Mauro Paz Pumar, it is located on Avenida 2 de San Felipe as a witness to what was a prosperous city destroyed by the 1812 earthquake and the exuberant vegetation that invites stories and peace.
The San Felipe El Fuerte Park is made up of 6,5 hectares that were recovered by order of President Rafael Caldera who gave the responsibility of carrying out the excavation works under the supervision of Mauro Páez Pumar with a team of archaeologists and anthropologists.
In the San Felipe El Fuerte Park there is also a archeological Museum Where part of the objects recovered in the excavation of 1971 is shown and little by little it has been enriched with the contribution of many people who deliver objects that belonged to the inhabitants of the city destroyed by the earthquake of 1812.
The characteristics of this park make it unique in Venezuela and it is the first historical parkIn its condition as a relic that our country has, for all the historical content that these 6,5 hectares have, the researcher Mauro Páez Pumar himself, upon concluding his work and delivering the work to President Caldera, did not hesitate to qualify it as "The Venezuelan Pompeya" .
The Park opens its doors to the public Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To make a tour with the desired comfort in these cases, the visitor is suggested to wear suitable clothing for excursions, long pants to avoid insect bites and rubber or flexible shoes, since the stone paths are usually unstable and difficult.
The spaces of this historical - archaeological park They offer varied options to visitors, who attend in large numbers, especially on weekends.
There they can delight in the ruins, learn from the museum's exhibits while going through history, and have picnics or walks under the shelter and shade of lush vegetation. An approximate number of 100 plant speciesMany of its trees are centenary and the height of some exceeds 20 and even 30 meters.