Panteon Nacional, Caracas (must see)

The Panthéon (Latin Pantheon, from Greek Pantheon, meaning "Temple of all the Gods") is a building on the northern edge of the old town of Caracas. It was originally built as a church, but is now used as a famous burial place. The entire central nave is dedicated to Simón Bolívar, with the altar's place taken by the hero's bronze sarcophagus, while lesser luminaries are relegated to the aisles. The national pantheon's vault is covered with 1930s paintings depicting scenes from Bolívar's life, and the huge crystal chandelier glittering overhead was installed in 1883 on the centennial of his birth.