Colonia Tovar

A group of German settlers founded the mountain town of Colonia Tovar in 1843, amidst the forests of the Cordillera de la Costa. The town didn't have much contact with the outside world for nearly a century, because there were no roads and because its inhabitants lived according to strict rules that prohibited intermarriage with someone from outside the colony for example. It was not until the 1940's that the Spanish language was introduced to Colonia Tovar and it took until 1963 that a serviceable road was constructed.

Nowadays Colonia Tovar is still unmistakably a German town. There are several nice produce markets, as well as arts and crafts shops. Most of the German architecture remains and foodstuffs, including bread and sausage are produced according to German recipes.

There are several hotels and restaurants in Colonia Tovar. The town is some 60 km (37 miles) west of Caracas.