House of the Arches

If the inhabitants of a city do not know its heritage, they will find it difficult to feel that it belongs to them, let alone become its protectors. The history of a city must not be forgotten, and today in Maracay a wonderful project is being promoted: the “Museum of Memory,” an initiative that seeks to rescue emblematic spaces. Within this framework, the Casa de los Arcos, (House of the Arches) an architectural complex from the second decade of the 20th century, has been brought back to life after a recent restoration.

Its construction is attributed to engineer André Potel, who also designed the House of Doña Dolores Amelia, which I have already reviewed in this community. With an area of 1,500 square meters, this place surprises with the diversity of its spaces: a central gazebo, a vertical garden that pays tribute to Henry Pittier National Park, the 102 m² Botello Library, and the Padrón Immersive Room, a multipurpose space dedicated to multisensory artistic experiences although, during my visit, it was not open to the public.

Ever since I heard about its reopening, I knew I had to visit it. And although I had seen photographs, nothing compares to the direct experience: the simplicity and elegance of its architecture captivate at first sight. Built in 1927 during the government of Juan Vicente Gómez, the Casa de los Arcos stands out not only for its history but also for the uniqueness of its style.

Its design evokes Moorish Mediterranean buildings, with sober exteriors and richly ornamented interiors. The horseshoe arches, wooden ceilings, and handcrafted details convey a sense of timelessness. The central axis is occupied by the gazebo, which originally functioned as a well to supply water to the area and today has been transformed into a fountain that radiates calm and freshness, almost like an urban oasis.

One detail that does not go unnoticed is the Moorish-style lamp suspended above the fountain. Its stalactite shape lends a sophisticated air, reminding us of the delicacy of Islamic art in dialogue with the modernity of the space.

Another element that impressed me was the vertical garden. With more than 50,000 endemic plants and around 50 varieties, it offers a living tribute to Henry Pittier Park. There, nature and creativity intertwine to create a corner where anyone can sit, breathe, and reconnect with the essential. In addition, visitors can interact with the space through QR codes that reveal more information about the history and the city, integrating heritage with technology.

At the rear, there are two museums: the Botello Museum, dedicated to the city's chronicler, and the Padrón Immersive Room. As you walk through them, you feel that the white walls become living pages of history, revealing fragments of Maracay's memory through photographs and documents. The presence of works brought from the Museum of Contemporary Art adds aesthetic value that complements the experience.

Visiting the Casa de los Arcos was undoubtedly a special experience. It is a space where heritage, nature, and technology coexist in perfect harmony. A reminder that history is not static, but rather renews itself and dialogues with the present. My wish is that everyone who has the opportunity to visit it will experience it as I did: as a little piece of identity that connects us to our garden city.