Structural vulnerability and conservation challenges in Venezuela’s religious heritage

Lessons and assessments following the June 24, 2026 seismic event

Abstract

We examine the structural vulnerability and conservation challenges regarding religious heritage in Venezuela following the "doublet" seismic event recorded on June 24, 2026. This event caused moderate to severe damage to 39 buildings across the dioceses of Caracas and La Guaira, revealing the fragility of historic churches built using traditional techniques such as unreinforced masonry or tapia. The Infrastructure Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Caracas is implementing a five-phase action plan: rapid assessment, detailed assessment, project development, reconstruction execution, and ongoing maintenance monitoring. This study presents the progress made during the first three stages. In Caracas, 25% of the buildings sustained severe damage, whereas in La Guaira, 100% suffered severe or very severe damage, demonstrating that the Diocese of La Guaira bore the brunt of the impact. Six critical cases are detailed as examples: the Caracas Cathedral, the Rectory of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, and the Church of San José de Ñaraulí (Cotiza) in Caracas; and the La Guaira Cathedral, the Church of San Sebastián de Maiquetía, and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Tarmas in La Guaira. These case studies describe the observed damage, identify failure patterns, and propose intervention guidelines that harmonize architecture and structure, ensuring that these religious sites are safe spaces for the people who use them.