Draft:La Casona

La Casona,​ between and to the south with the La Carlota sector. Francisco Miranda Avenue continues as a presidential workplace and seat of government. It has quick access: to the north with Miraflores Palace, while for its part the 2012 to 1966presidents of Venezuela​ is the name given to an official residence that served as the place of residence of the ,Aquiles Nazoa Cultural Center​ since December 13, 2019 headquarters of the

Location[edit code · edit]
It has an area (including its gardens) of about 5 hectares (0.05 square kilometers). It is located in the east of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas, very close it is the Parque Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda or Parque del Este (to the west), the Parque Bolívar (to the southwest) and La Carlota Air Base (to the south). Administratively it is part of the Leoncio Martínez Parish of the Sucre Municipality a>Venezuela, in the north center of Miranda State​ in the

History
La Casona was originally a sugar cane hacienda called La Pastora and dates back to colonial times; by the time the State acquired it (Raúl Leoni: 1964 ), belonged to the Brandt family. After being acquired, it was restored and expanded by the architect Andrés Enrique Betancourt, going from the original house to a large mansion and a balance was mainly sought between nature and the building itself, in addition to preserving the colonial style, maintaining the original columns. , the patios, the ornamental railings and fountains.

In 1966 it began to be used as the official residence of the president of Venezuela by decision of the then president Raúl Leoni. During the first government of President Rafael Caldera (1969-​ .Alicia Pietri de Caldera) the residence was remodeled following the guidelines of the first lady 1974

In 1988​ the then president Jaime Lusinchi temporarily left La Casona to settle in the Miraflores Palace​ (administrative headquarters of the government) while the first lady Gladys Castillo de Lusinchi​ remained in the place during the process of her divorce.​

The last ruler to use the residence was Hugo Chavéz between 1999 and 2002.​ In 2013 Maduro chose to use the residence intended for the vice president called La Viñeta​ instead of moving to La Casona.

In 2019​ Nicolás Maduro​ decided that the residence would be open to public visits as the headquarters of the Aquiles Nazoa Cultural Center, a museum and cultural space that preserves the spaces of the residence and its gardens, as they were seen during the years it served as residence. Additionally, it is used to hold official government events.

Despachos

 * Presidential Office:

The Office is characterized by being simply furnished and with a feeling of warmth. This room highlights: An equestrian portrait of the Liberator made by Alfredo Araya Goméz and gifted by the president of Chile, Eduardo Frei Montalva a> style lamp; The Library with an extensive biography of Simón Bolívar and speeches, presidential decrees and other works carried out by the presidents during his stay. xvii behind the desk; A century Antonio Herrera Toro, work of The Christ; The desk and armchairs in the Spanish Renaissance style made of carved mahogany;


 * First Lady's Office:

The first lady's office is located in the heart of La Casona and is characterized by producing a very calming sensation, it has a fountain close to it, a waiting area with Portuguese furniture and pieces, and the office itself organized with furniture Provençal style.

Salones

 * Main Audience Hall:

It is furnished in the Louis XIV style in earth, ochre and gold tones. In this room there is a carved and polychrome central table and a three-meter-high clock. In addition, it presents a portrait of Simón Bolívar made by Pedro Centeno Vallenilla ( Bolívar Agricultor) given by the painter to Rafael Caldera in 1969, in addition from the work Pentesilea by Arturo Michelena.


 * Council of Ministers Hall:

It is the designated place for the president to meet with his cabinet. This room stands out: A large French 18th-style table adorned with bronze elements. In this room is the last work of the painter Tito Salas, Los Causahabientes, in which all the Venezuelan presidents of the 19th century are represented. It was commissioned during the first presidency of Rafael Caldera.


 * Andrés Bello Room:

It is used for general meetings, it is furnished by a wooden and bronze desk and a set of armchairs that surround it semicircularly. In this room there is a copy of the portrait of Andrés Bello that is in the University of Chile.


 * Aide-de-camp Hall:

It is located at the entrance to the presidential office and this is where the president's aides or assistants stay while he works. In this room there is Louis XIV style furniture and a walnut table with inlays dating from the time of Napoleon III.


 * Reception room:

The reception rooms are located parallel to the corridor and are part of the original construction, maintaining a colonial style in its construction.


 * Simón Bolívar Room:

The Simón Bolívar room is the most important of all and is called that because it houses one of the most important artistic works in the country, it is the portrait of Simón Bolívar painted by Juan Lovera. Furthermore, in this room there is a large carpet from the Royal Tapestry Factory of Spain and on top of it, there are armchairs and style furniture. Camille Pissarro by Plaza Mayor. In this room is the work Louis XVI


 * Diana the Huntress Hall:

This space stands out for the energy transmitted by the work of Arturo Michelena Diana Cazadora, which It gives its name to the room. The rug in this living room was custom made in Lavonnerie, France and is furnished with Elizabethan-style wood pieces in green tones. There is also a very luxurious Boulle style piece of furniture made in the time of Napoleon III.


 * Hall of Ambassadors:

The Hall of the Ambassadors, the smallest of the three halls, is furnished with Louis XVI style furniture, where one with ornaments of bronze exhibits French porcelain, and a collection of French clocks made by Pons and Paulin dating from the 19th century stands out. One of them belonged to Napoleon I who later gave it to his brother Jeronimo Bonaparte and from there it will reach Ciudad Bolívar. Among the pictorial works in this room are those of Emilio Boggio, Armando Reverón and Héctor Poleo.

Dining Room[edit code · edit]
The dining room is located next to the clay tile patio and its function is to serve as a meeting place for diners invited to the large banquets held at La Casona. In it there is a large Sheraton-style table, a Capodimonte vase and three works by Antonio Herrera Toro referring to the seasons. As for the utensils to serve diners, there are high-quality gold and white porcelain tableware, carved Baccarat glassware and English silver cutlery engraved with the national coat of arms.

Chapel[edit code · edit]
It is a Catholic oratory located at the end of the main corridor and is part of the original structure of the old hacienda. In it there is a tabernacle lamp from the 18th century, two kneelers. and a document signed by Pope John Paul II. In this chapel masses are held every Sunday and on days of religious festivals and solemnities.

Private and guest area[edit code · edit]
The private area is built around a marble fountain from the 19th century and is made up of a small office, six small bedrooms and one main room, a small dining room for daily use and a meeting room. The area for guests is located in the original building; it currently consists of two bedrooms, a library and a living room. In the library you can get a vast collection of Nobel Prize winners in Literature, paintings by Armando Reverón of illustrious visitors, and wooden pieces of Portuguese manufacture. Book of Signatures, the

Green areas[edit code · edit]
The green areas of La Casona are made up of the gardens, patios and corridors that connect a large part of the buildings. They are characterized by being simple and having a great variety of fauna (sloths, parrots, partridges, macaws) and flora (palm trees, orchids, bushes, coffee plantations).