Museo Sacro de Caracas, Caracas

This small, yet dignified museum, is set within the historical context of the Plaza Bolívar, and the religious context of the Cathedral. It was constructed in 1884, as the headquarters for the Colegio Episcopal (the Episcopal School), on what was once the Cemetery of the Canons. It was converted into a museum during July of 1992, and has two adjacent rooms for permanent exhibitions, in which there are examples of Venezuelan religious (mainly colonial) art. The collection includes paintings, carvings, furniture and objects of worship, which have come from different convents and chapels from around the city. The museum also puts on seasonal exhibitions, and has a special lounge for different cultural events. Visitors are taken by surprise to learn that they have access to such a profound and impressive space, in which a communal grave and 12 sealed tombs were found during excavations some years ago (possibly containing the remains of Caracas' first bishops). One can also view the remains of the ecclesiastical prison, which was built as a punishment for clergymen who were considered unruly by their superiors.