Cuartel de la Montaña
Historic military barracks and mausoleum in Caracas, Venezuela
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cuartel de la Montaña (Spanish: Cuartel de la Montaña 4F; "Mountain Barracks"), formerly known as the Military History Museum (Spanish: Museo Histórico Militar), is a multi-purpose building located in the Monte Piedad sector of the 23 de Enero parish of Libertador Municipality, in the Capital District of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.[1][2]
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| Cuartel de la Montaña | |
|---|---|
Cuartel de la Montaña 4F | |
23 de Enero, Libertador Municipality, Caracas in  Venezuela | |
Panoramic view of the barracks | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Military History Museum, mausoleum and former military barracks |
| Owner | Government of Venezuela |
| Controlled by | Ministry of Defense (Venezuela) Bolivarian Militia |
Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | In use |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 10.5073°N 66.9268°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1904–1906 |
| Built by | Alejandro Chataing |
| In use | 1907–1981 (military); 1981–present (museum); 2013–present (mausoleum) |
| Battles/wars | February 1992 coup attempt |
The structure was built between 1904 and 1906 under the government of Cipriano Castro and has functioned as the headquarters of the Military History Museum since 1981, where objects of historical value are displayed. It also houses the mausoleum of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. It served as the headquarters of the Military Academy and of ministries, among many other functions.
In 2002, it was renamed "Cuartel de la Montaña 4 de Febrero" ("4 February Mountain Barracks").[3] From the site one can see El Calvario Park, the Arco de la Federación, the Miraflores Palace, the Torres del Silencio and the Cajigal Observatory. By 2014, the site received approximately 800 visitors daily and 2,000 on weekends.[4]
History
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The barracks were built in a sector called La Planicie, near the Monte Piedad neighborhood, in the 23 de Enero parish. It is located on the La Planicie plateau, with views of the southwest of the city of Caracas. When it was inaugurated in 1907, it was the largest of its kind in Latin America.[2]
During the failed coup d'état of 4 February 1992 against the government of President Carlos Andrés Pérez,[5] the building was used as the headquarters of the rebel forces led by then-Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Chávez.[6] Later, in 2002, by then President Chávez held his program Aló Presidente at the site to commemorate the 10 years of the failed coup d'état.[7]
In 2008, the General Headquarters of the Bolivarian Militia was established at the building.[1]
After the death of Chávez in March 2013, the government of Nicolás Maduro decided to adapt the space to function as a mausoleum and museum, exhibiting objects related to the life of the deceased president, while preserving its status as a Military Museum.[8][9]
The works were commissioned to Venezuelan architect Fruto Vivas in several rooms, highlighting the monument inaugurated on 15 March 2013, known as "La Flor de los Cuatro Elementos" ("The Flower of the Four Elements"; representing fire, wind, earth and water), which houses the sarcophagus of Chávez.[10][11]
Following the bombings that occurred in Caracas on 3 January 2026, carried out by United States forces during the capture of Nicolás Maduro, reports went viral on social media claiming that the Cuartel de la Montaña had been a target of the operation, with alleged photographs of the building in ruins being shared by users online. This was quickly denied when acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited the remains of Hugo Chávez after her swearing-in on 5 January, with the Reuters news agency corroborating that, as of 8 January of that same year, the facilities remained intact and had not been attacked during the extraction of the president.[12]
It was later confirmed that the attacks were actually directed at the Militia Command headquarters located approximately 500 metres (1,600 ft) away. The attack was presumably aimed at ZU-23 anti-aircraft artillery equipment located at the site.[13]
Uses
- From 1910 to 1949, it was used as the headquarters of the Military Academy of Venezuela, today the Military Academy of the Bolivarian Army.
- During the 1941–1981 period, it was occupied by the Ministry of Defense as the seat of that institution.
- Since 1981 it has operated as the Military History Museum.
- In 2008 it was assigned as the General Headquarters of the Bolivarian Militia, owing to its role during the events of 4 February 1992.
