A view towards the great Orinoco River.
Today, while running errands in the city of San Felix, Bolívar State, Venezuela, I passed by the well-known El Gallo Hill, a place well known throughout history as a fundamental part of the country's independence. This is the site of a battle between Venezuelan forces and the royalists, or Spaniards, who still held the country as a colony at the time. This battle finally ended on April 11, 1817. However, despite this place being an important historical landmark and having tourist potential, government agencies have not given it much importance in turning it into an iconic site.
It's not like, say, Campo Carabobo, another place where another important battle was fought. It has always been a point of reference for many tourists who want to appreciate a bit of art and history. Therefore, Cerro El Gallo has lacked the importance it could have had. Even so, being there, you can appreciate other aspects, such as having a view from above of the confluence of the Orinoco River, which also borders two other states in the country, Monagas and Anzoategui. From this place, and if you were to climb to the top of the hill, you could even appreciate the magnitude of such a view.
Of course, there are trails available to climb this hill and get that view, and I don't think it would take long to climb, but I still didn't want to do it because I had other errands to run, so I have this activity pending. On the El Gallo Hill, you can see a park honoring Manuel Piar, an important hero of the independence movement in this area. A statue of him can be seen in his honor. Other parts of the park even have a small playground for children. Of course, at the time I was in this park, there wasn't a single person or child playing there due to the intense heat and sun.
Although it may not seem like an attractive place, I always think it has great potential to encourage tourism. I know that around April 11th, simulations of that historic battle are held, but I still think we can promote better spaces for many people to visit, such as better walkways, even a small park at the top of the hill where those who are encouraged to climb the small mountain can spend the night, as well as better spaces to enjoy a pleasant day where you can see the contrast between the river and the city.
On the other hand, while I was there, I learned that from a nearby street you can catch buses that go directly to the Guayana Castles, another tourist spot that actually belongs to another state in the country called Delta Amacuro. It takes about an hour to get there. I'm really interested in being able to go back to the place I visited when I was a child. At least now I have the knowledge from where I can begin that journey.
Anyway, this day, beyond the details of the day, I had a little time to appreciate this place and imagine what that battle might have been like back in 1817. I also had a moment to imagine this whole place without the existence of this city, where everything was practically embraced by the lush vegetation typical of the jungle-like area and the presence of the great Orinoco River over these legendary lands.
All photographs are mine.
