The usual place to start discovering µþ´Ç²µ´Ç³Ùá is the giant concrete Plaza de BolÃvar, the heart of the original town. What it lacks in green foliage it makes up for in grandiosity. In the middle of the square is a bronze statue of Simón BolÃvar (cast in 1846), the work of Italian artist Pietro Tenerani. This was the city's first public monument.
In the center of the square are flocks of pigeons that dive-bomb anyone within 50m – a hat is a good idea.