La Grita is a town in the north west of

Táchira state Táchira State ( es, Estado Táchira, ) is one of the 24 states of Venezuela. The state capital is San Cristóbal. Táchira State covers a total surface area of and as of the 2011 census, had a population of 1,168,908. At the end of the 19t ...

Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

. It has a population of 80.000. Located in an Andean valley, La Grita has a beautiful natural setting and fertile land. The town includes colonial style houses and open plazas. The area offers visitors activities including hiking, camping, mountain climbing, as well as flora and fauna observation. Religious tourism is a main attraction during

Semana Santa Holy Week ( la, Hebdomada Sancta or , ; grc, Ἁγία καὶ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς, translit=Hagia kai Megale Hebdomas, lit=Holy and Great Week) is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. In Eastern Churches, w ...

or during the celebration of the Santo Cristo de La Grita every August 6.

History

Founded by the Spanish Captain Francisco de Cáceres, in 1576, also known as ciudad de Atenas or ciudad del Espíritu Santo, it was the capital of the Province of La Grita (1576–1607). Later the town was a strategic point in

Simon Bolivar Simon may refer to: People * Simon (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name Simon * Simon (surname), including a list of people with the surname Simon * Eugène Simon, French naturalist and the genus ...

's "

Admirable Campaign The Admirable Campaign () was a military action led by Simón Bolívar in which the provinces of Mérida, Barinas, Trujillo and Caracas were conquered by the Patriot Governments (Spanish American independence), Patriots.Arana, M., 2013, Bolivar, ...

" (1813). Bolivar stayed at the "Balcony House", now known as a site of great value to Venezuela's independence movement. La Grita was affected by the

1875 Cúcuta earthquake The 1875 Cúcuta earthquake (also known as earthquake of the Andes) occurred on 18 May at 11:15 AM. It completely demolished Cúcuta, Villa del Rosario, Norte de Santander, Villa del Rosario (Colombia), San Antonio del Tachira and Capacho (Venez ...

Culture

La Grita has a community TV station, Jaureguina TV.

References

External links

Cities in Táchira Populated places established in 1576 1576 establishments in New Spain {{Venezuela-geo-stub