- Address: Plaza 25 de mayo esquina Nicolás Ortiz., Sucre, Bolivia
- Phone: + 591-4645-2257
- Website: www.soysucre.info/catedral-metropolitana
- Email: museoeclesiastico_sucre@hotmail.com
- Date of completion: 1712.
If you want to get an impression of the culture and history of Bolivia , be sure to take the time to visit the Cathedral of Sucre (Spanish Catedral Metropolitana de Sucre) - a unique ancient architectural monument. It was built over a century - from 1559 to 1712 - and represents a unique combination of Baroque and Renaissance styles.
The exterior of the cathedral
This ancient temple complex includes not only the church where divine services are still held, but also the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patroness of the Bolivians, an exquisite bell tower with 12 bells (they correspond to 12 disciples of Jesus) and a small museum. His exhibits are unrivaled and represent excellent examples of religious art dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. These are icons framed by frames of pure gold, luxurious clothes of priests, objects for the departure of church rites and statuettes of Catholic saints with incrustation of precious stones. The cathedral collection is considered to be one of the largest and most valuable in the country.
You can enter the Cathedral of Sucre through a massive wooden door decorated with carvings. It is made in the form of an arch, and impressive impression is complemented by a huge stained-glass window, located just above it. The handle on the door is located higher than necessary for human growth: this is because earlier in the cathedral it was possible to drive horse riders.
Lovers of antiquity should pay attention to the facade of the monastery: this is the oldest part of the cathedral, which has not been reconstructed. The belfry consists of three tiers, and its top is crowned with an old mechanical clock. The windows are decorated with numerous decorative elements of gold and silver.
Interior of the Cathedral
As soon as you get inside the church, the first thing your eyes look at is a gilded altar with a silver large crucifix known as the Karabuko Cross, and a chair made of mahogany and inlaid with precious stones. The walls of the monastery are adorned with paintings by the famous local artist Montufar, telling of the life of biblical saints and apostles. The original looks like a large statue of an angel dressed in the old uniform of Spanish soldiers.
In the chapel, tourists can admire the canvas depicting the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe with the baby Christ in her arms. The picture is carefully guarded, as the garments of Mary are encrusted with genuine jewels.
The cathedral is open for visits from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00 on Saturdays from 10.00 to 12.00. The museum is open daily from 10am. The general mass is served at 9 am on Thursdays and Sundays. Photographing inside the cathedral is allowed.
How to get to the cathedral?
Although there is a bus service in Sucre , it is faster and safer to rent a car. From the southeast part of the city you should go along Potosi Street, and on the intersection with Socabaya turn right and drive a few hundred meters to the cathedral. From the north you bring here the street Junin, smoothly passing into Socabaya.
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