Church of San Francisco

• Address: Sagarnaga, La Paz, Bolivia
• Type: Catholic church
• Website: www.museosanfranciscobolivia.com
• Date of foundation: 1549
• Architectural style : Andean baroque
• Cost of visit: free of charge

La Paz is one of the most beautiful cities in Bolivia , which is also the actual capital of the state. A rich cultural and historical heritage makes it the most visited place in the country. Among the many attractions of the city, one of the most significant is the Church of San Francisco (Basílica de San Francisco), which we will discuss in more detail.

A bit of history

The Church of San Francisco is located in the heart of La Paz, on the square with the same name. The first temple on this site was founded in 1549, but 60 years later it was destroyed by a hurricane. In 1748, the church was restored, and today we can observe it in the same guise as it was 200 years ago.

What is interesting for the church for tourists?

The main feature of the church is its architecture. The building was built in the style of "Andean baroque" (the artistic trend that appeared in Peru in 1680-1780). The temple is completely made of stone, and the main facade is decorated with original carvings, in which floristic motifs are traced.

The interior of the church of San Francisco in La Paz is also distinguished by its luxury and richness of decoration. In the center of the temple there is an altar entirely made of gold.

You can see one of Bolivia's main attractions for free. However, if you want to visit not only the church, but also a monastery, from the roof of which you can see a fascinating view of the whole city, you will have to purchase an additional ticket.

How to get there?

As already mentioned, the Church of San Francisco is located in the heart of the city of La Paz . You can reach it by public transport: right opposite the entrance to the temple there is a bus stop Av Mariscal Santa Cruz.