Basilica de San Francisco, A Blend of Baroque Art and Local Culture

Sagarnaga, La Paz

Very large church

4.1

Introduction

The construction of the San Francisco Monastery began in 1548 and the entire project started the following year and was completed in 1581. However, in 1610, the monastery collapsed due to a snowstorm and was rebuilt between 1743 and 1753. The exterior and interior decorations of the church are a combination of Spanish Baroque art and local art, which is very exquisite. In 1790, the decoration of the main door of the church's outer wall was completed. Some interesting elements that the craftsmen at the time carved, such as the South American fruit - Chirimoya, can still be seen today. The stone pillars above the main door symbolize the three important cultures of La Paz: Tiwanaku culture, Inca culture, and modern culture. Another special feature of this church is that it only has one bell tower, which is different from the usual practice of double bell towers in most churches. The interior of the church is very simple and solemn. Visitors can visit the church museum, which has many religious-themed exquisite oil paintings and precious historical relics. If you want to learn about the history and artistic traditions of La Paz, visiting the San Francisco Church Museum is the best choice. The San Francisco Square is an important venue for demonstrations and protests in La Paz. If you come here to visit, it is recommended to pay attention to any ongoing demonstrations to avoid unnecessary trouble and danger.

Address

Sagarnaga, La Paz

Opening hours

Monday to Saturday from 16:00 to 18:00.

Transportation

If living in the old city area, it can be reached on foot. If living in the south area, it is recommended to take a taxi there.