Churches
Museums
Paleontology
Ethnography
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METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL.-
The Metropolitan Cathedral is the
most significant religious
monument of Charcas. Its
construction was commenced in
1559, being canonically ordained
as the Cathedral Church of
Charcas or La Plata on 27th July
1552 in the Special Papal Bull
"Mantis Eclesiae" of S. Julio III.
Construction was finally
completed in 1712. The
renaissance style suffered
consequent additions in baroque
and mixed baroque styles.
The cathedral has three naves; the main altar presents altars on all four sides and a
dome crowned by the cross of Carabuco, a traditional item whose origins are among
populations near to Lake Titicaca. Behind the main altar, the gallery of canons is a
singular example of plateresque style. A valuable collection of paintings by the
vice-regal painter and author Montufar, representing the martyrdom of the apostles,
decorate both lateral walls.
The Capitula that was built for the celebration of the Platense
council in 1776, houses a beautiful collection of portraits of the
main ecclesiastical authorities in La Plata, from colonial until
modern times.
The atrium of the temple, which is of substantial dimensions, is
limited by a balustrade of stone edging that form an angle that
corresponds to the corner of the Plaza 25th May, featuring a stone
cross that is well-known in Sucre as "Rumi Cruz."
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CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO.-
The construction was begun by Fray Francisco of Aroca in
the years immediately following the foundation of the town
of La Plata. Initially modest, the construction was amplified,
with the current church being built 1581. It possesses a
notable mudejar paneled ceiling executed in cedar wood
that continues to where the adjacent chapels cross the main
nave.
Two square towers flank the main entrance of the church.
One of them is a nominated historical monument, for it
houses the bell of the freedom which sounded out the call of
independence on 25th May 1809 – the first cry of freedom in
Latin America. Next to the Church of San Francisco is the
convent of the same name, one of the first that was built in
Alto Peru.
Embedded to the atrium of the church is the arcade of San Francisco that was built in
neo-classical style by order of the Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, in homage to the
patriot Mariano Suarez Polanco. He was chaplain to the independence troops of the
freedom fighter Juana Azurduy de Padilla, and it was he who rang the freedom bell on
May 25th 1809.
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LA MERCED.-
The altarpiece of the main altar, carved in cedar towards
the end of the 16th Century and gilded with gold leaf
during the 17th Century, is a true jewel of the baroque
style in Bolivia.
This temple possesses paintings of Melchor Peréz de
Holguín, commissioned especially by the mercedary friars.
The nave, the pulpit, the primary altar and the smaller
altars also display examples of valuable baroque copies.
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CHURCH OF THE RECOLETA.-
Situated in a most picturesque part of Sucre, the convent of Our Lady of Santa Ana,
today known as the Recoleta, was founded in the year 1600. The church was built in
the 19th Century.
The church consists of a single nave with a lateral chapel and it features a covered
arch. The facade flanked by twin towers, has a piazza of pilasters that sustains a
triangular fronton. Without an altarpiece in the main altar, the two smaller lateral
chambers are of gothic style and they belong to this century. An important highlight is
the carved cedar choir, which presents images of the Sacred Martyrs of the Order.
This valuable work belongs to the Peruvian school (XVII century).
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CHAPEL OF GUADALUPE.-
The chapel was built in 1617 by order of Fray
Gerónimo de la Tiedra adapting the chapel of
the Bishop Alonso Ramírez de Vergara. It
harbours the most beloved image of popular
faith – Our Lady of Guadalupe, painted by
Fray Diego de Ocaña in 1601. The faithful
have covered this image with countless jewels,
as testimony to their devotion and gratefulness.
In 1784 the canvas was reinforced with solid gold and silver leaving only the face and
hands of the Virgin and the Christ child uncovered. Various figures in national history
have enriched the image with many valuable gifts.
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CONVENT OF SAN FELIPE DE NERY.-
The construction of this church began in 1795, and works concluded in 1800. It is the
monument most representative of the neo-classical style. An imposing image, built
entirely with stones of the Churuquella hill, it has a single nave divided into four tracts
and it is flanked by two octagonal towers united by a half point arch. From the terrace
and vaults of the church one can enjoy an excellent view of the city.
The convent annexed to the church consists of a beautiful group of half point arches,
and balustrade, constructed around a wide patio.
In the crypt of the convent are buried notable characters from the history of La Plata.
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