Bellas Artes

Parque Los Caobos is peaceful, with fountains, and has a cafeteria in the middle. By the entrance in Avenida México is the cultural centre, Ateneo de Caracas, with a cinema, theatre, art gallery, concert room, bookshop and the imposing Teresa Carreño theatre complex. Museo de Bellas Artes (Plaza de los Museos in Parque Los Caobos, T578 0275, http://www.fmn.gob.ve/fmn_mba.htm, free, Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat-Sun 1000-1700) the oldest museum in Caracas, designed by Carlos Raúl Villanueva. It contains works by mainly Venezuelan and South American artists. Adjacent is the Galería de Arte Nacional (T578 1818, http://www.fmn.gob.ve/fmn_gan.htm, Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat-Sun 1000-1700) displays the history of Venezuelan art and also houses the Cinemateca Nacional (Tue-Sun 1830 and 2130, Sun 1100 for children’s films.) Museo de Ciencias Naturales (Plaza de los Museos, Los Caobos, T577 5094, http://www.fmn.gob.ve/fmn_mc.htm, Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat-Sun 1030-1800) has archaeological, particularly pre- Columbian, zoological and botanical exhibits, interesting temporary shows.