Central University of Venezuela in the context of Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas

Pedro Antonio Ríos Reyna (November 16, 1905, in Colón, Táchira State, Venezuela – February 13, 1971, in New York City, U.S.) was one of the most important Venezuelan classical musicians.

Spent his childhood in Caracas and studied at the Fermín Toro Grammar school. In 1913, he began to study violin with José Lorenzo Llamozas, and soon entered the Superior School of Music, where his teachers included Juan Bautista Plaza. When his father was very ill, he played the violin to maintain his family. Soon, he became a professor at the Superior School of Music. In 1929, became General Secretary of the Caracas Philharmonic Union. In 1930, he was one of the founders of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, and remained a member of it until 1963. Ríos Reyna organized for ten years the Sunday concerts at the National Library. In 1968, created the Chorale of the Caracas Philharmonic, and the Central University of Venezuela Student Orchestra. In 1970, founds the Symphonic Experimental Orchestra. Pedro Antonio Ríos Reyna died in an automobile accident, New York City, February 13, 1971.

Juan Bautista Plaza Alfonso (Caracas, Venezuela June 19, 1898 – 1965) was a classical composer. He began studies in medicine at the Central University of Venezuela but, with time, left in order to dedicate himself to music. His first teacher was Jesus Maria Suárez. He studied in Rome from 1920 and 1923 and obtained the title of professor of sagrada (sacred) composition. After his return to Venezuela he was named Master of Chapel at Caracas Cathedral and carried out this position until the year 1948. In the Caracas Superior Music School he taught music history and appreciation to composer Antonio Lauro and singer Morella Muñoz.

Carlos Raúl Villanueva Astoul (May 30, 1900 – August 16, 1975) was a Venezuelan modernist architect. Raised in Europe, Villanueva went for the first time to Venezuela when he was 28 years old. He was involved in the development and modernization of Caracas, Maracay and other cities across the country. Among his works are El Silencio Redevelopment which included 7797 apartments and 207 shop premises and the Ciudad Universitaria, the main campus of the Central University of Venezuela. The Campus was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000.