Venezuela: Merida

Merida is a beautiful colonial city high in the Venezuela Andes mountains, nestled in the Chama River valley at nearly 6000 ft. It’s known as the “City of Eternal Spring” given its high altitude and mild and temperate year-round climate. The city was founded in 1558 by the Spanish conquistadors. During the struggle against Spanish rule, Mérida was an active supporter of the republican cause., and when in May 1813 Simón Bolívar entered the city, he was officially proclaimed El Libertador (“The Liberator”) for the first time. The historic city center is all around Plaza Bolivar with main attractions of Cathedral of Merida, Palacio de Gobierno, Universidad de Los Andes, Musei de Arte Colonial, and a couple others – beautiful and grand colonial architecture.