Museo Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho
The Museo Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho () is a biographical and history museum located in Cumaná, Sucre state, Venezuela. Established in 1974, the museum is dedicated to the life and work of Antonio José de Sucre, known as the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho (Grand Marshal of Ayacucho), one of the most prominent leaders of the Spanish American wars of independence and a native of Cumaná.
History
The building that houses the museum was erected in 1945 as the seat of the municipal council, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antonio José de Sucre. Construction was authorised by presidential decree of General Isaías Medina Angarita. The building was designed by the architect Luis Yáñez and built by Torcuato Yáñez. It is located on Avenida Humboldt, near the Manzanares River, and bore the name "See-Museum Antonio José de Sucre, Grand Marshal of Ayacucho".
The museum itself was created in 1974 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Ayacucho, on the initiative of Zenaida Varela, Lucas Arias and José Mercedes Gómez. From that point onward, the Municipality of Cumaná assigned the building for cultural use.
The museum is currently administered as a foundation that receives advisory support from the state of Sucre. It was established under the governorship of Ramón Martínez Abdenur to mark the bicentenary of Sucre's birth, and the foundation has been presided over by Reina Uzcátegui de González. In addition to highlighting the political work of Antonio José de Sucre, the museum also displays material on regional, national and international figures linked to the social and political struggles of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Collection
The permanent collection comprises antique furniture, military uniforms, oil paintings, antique firearms and bladed weapons, photographs and other objects connected with the life of Antonio José de Sucre.
On the ground floor a Spanish silk banner from 1533 is displayed. Also on this floor is a piece of cloth woven with gold and silver threads which had been presented to Sucre, and which Sucre in turn donated to the Cumaná town council.
The permanent exhibition is composed of more than one hundred objects acquired through donations, and is presented in the Mariana Carcelén y Larrea de Sucre Hall, named after Sucre's wife Mariana Carcelén.
Building
The two-storey building stands on Avenida Humboldt, in the historic centre of Cumaná, on the right bank of the Manzanares River. Designed in 1945 by Luis Yáñez in a republican civic style, the structure originally served as the municipal council seat before being transferred to cultural use in the 1970s. It opens Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also
- List of museums in Venezuela
- Culture of Venezuela
- Antonio José de Sucre