Monumento a Los Próceres, Caracas

At the end of a two kilometer stretch starting at the Universidad Central de Venezuela and ending at the giant military complex Tiuna Fort, you will find this somber but impressive homage to the heroes of Venezuela's Independence. Like other important monuments and the fort, it was built under the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez in the 40's as part of his urban renovation work and military aggrandizement. The edge of two high lateral walls bears the names of the protagonists of the struggle for emancipation arranged by rank as well as the dates of the most important battles. Between these walls, two rows of large statues represent Simón Bolívar and the major leaders of the independence movement. This monument also signals the start of the esplanade where military parades take place during national festivities, passing in front of the presidential platform.