The El Tocuyo parish is the capital of Morán Municipality and the **"Mother City of Venezuela."** Founded on December 7, 1545 by Juan de Carvajal, it served as capital of the Province of Venezuela between 1546 and 1548, and from here departed the expeditions that founded Barquisimeto, Trujillo, Carora, Valencia, Borburata and, with logistical support, Caracas. Today it is the administrative, commercial, religious, and cultural heart of the municipality, and the main colonial tourist destination in southern Lara state.
About El Tocuyo (municipal capital)
Capital of Morán Municipality and the founding historic district of the Mother City of Venezuela. It concentrates the municipal administration, the main reconstructed colonial churches, plazas, museums, and the commercial activity of the municipality.
History of the El Tocuyo (municipal capital) parish
El Tocuyo was founded by **Juan de Carvajal** on December 7, 1545 along the banks of the river that today bears its name. The Royal Decree of Philip II of October 8, 1547 granted it the rank of **City** and the coat of arms that still represents it. During the 16th and 17th centuries it was one of the most important urban centers of the Captaincy General of Venezuela: here the convents of **San Francisco**, **Santo Domingo**, and **San Agustín** were established, along with the first **Hospital of Venezuela** (San Lázaro, 1547) and the first **Patriotic Junta** of the country's interior (1810). The **earthquake of August 3, 1950** destroyed nearly 80% of the colonial city center; dictator **Marcos Pérez Jiménez** ordered its modern reconstruction with wide avenues and the new concrete Cathedral, inaugurated in 1959.
Geography, terrain and climate
The urban center of El Tocuyo sits at **620 m above sea level** in the middle valley of the **Tocuyo River**, the most important river in Lara state. The terrain is rolling, with low hills to the north (Cerro Colorado, Cerro Pelón) and fertile lowlands in the valley. The soil is alluvial, ideal for sugar cane, vegetables, tomato, onion, and corn. The climate is **hot and dry**, with two clearly defined seasons: rains between May and November (peaking in September–October) and a dry season between December and April.
Culture, religion and traditions
El Tocuyo is the cradle of the **Tamunangue**, a musical and dance expression declared a **National Cultural Asset** on June 5, 2014. Every June 13, the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua, the seven sones of the Tamunangue (La Salve, La Bella, El Yiyivamos, La Juruminga, El Poco a Poco, La Perrendenga, and El Galerón) are performed through the streets. The town also devoutly celebrates the **Cross of May vigils**, the **Tocuyo Holy Week**, and **December 8**, feast day of the Immaculate Conception, patron saint of the city.
Economy and production
El Tocuyo is the economic center of Morán Municipality. Its activity combines **retail trade** (Calle 17 and Avenida Lisandro Alvarado), **traditional bakeries** (birthplace of the famous **pan tocuyano** and **acemitas**), **agro-industry** (sugar cane, panela, sweets), **professional services** (banking, health, education), and **cultural tourism**. It remains the collection and distribution point for the harvests coming down from the Andean parishes (coffee from the Humocaros, potatoes from Guárico) and vegetables from the valley.
Main crops
This parish stands out for the production of: sugar cane, onion, tomato, corn, black beans.