Mi casa es su casa--a visit to La Casa de La Estrella in Valencia, Venezuela.

• Author: Wurmann, Kirsten
• Position: Travel to Legal Landmarks - Venezuelan history - Country overview

In 1812 during Semana Santa, or Easter Week, a devastating earthquake rocked Venezuela to its very core. Many cities including Caracas were almost completely destroyed and 45,000 people were killed. Not quite 200 years later, also during Semana Santa and on the heels of the latest tragedy shaking the nation (the murders of three Canadian-Venezuelan boys); I landed in Caracas with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. How was Venezuela about to rock my world?

The earthquake of 1812 had profound effects on Venezuela from the Church proclaiming it a sign from God to reinstate Spanish rule; to the decimation of cities and patriot strongholds; to the destruction of vast numbers of historical and colonial buildings. While staying in the city of Valencia, a two-hour drive from Caracas, I visited a number of these historic sites, rebuilt and restored as monuments to a volatile and passionate past, and yet positioned very much in a still volatile and passionate present.

Our newly-made friend, Ivy (born and raised in Valencia, and with her own personal, powerful, and historically significant stories to tell) took us on a day-long excursion through the bustling and sweltering downtown core. Our tour consisted of visits to a few of these historic sites or Casas; as well as to the Congress or governmental seat of the state of Carabobo; and of course with obligatory rest stops in various corner drinking establishments for a rejuvenating and chilled cerveza, our drink of choice on a hot and humid afternoon.

Ivy introduced us to our museum guide at La Casa de La Estrella, who seemed astonished that three Canadians would be at all interested in the history of Valencia much less of this particular Casa. We talked about how a glimpse into its past helps us all try to better understand this country that is situated so precariously in the present. The Casa was built as San Antonio de Padua in 1664 in accordance to the Leyes de India, an ancient law which stated that all Spanish colonies must provide hospitals to those poorest of the poor in the colony. Lepers or those unfortunate folk sold into slavery were not welcome however, as the responsibility for the health of slaves lay solely on the shoulders of their owners. Ivy translated for us that the Leyes also proclaimed that all colonial hospitals must be equipped with a church and a bell. The church bell of La Casa de La Estrella was lost during the earthquake of 1812 and rumours abound that the bell has in...