Places of Interest - Bolivia

"Sucre"




introduction


Sucre is the legal capital of Bolivia and the symbolic heart of the country. The old town is the best preserved Spanish colonial city in South America together with "Cartagena" in Colombia. Although Sucre is the capital, the government is located in "La Paz". The city is also called the white city "La Ciudad Blanca" because of its amount of white (colonial) buildings and is therefore also one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Nowadays there are strict rules regarding renovation permits and other adjustments in and around houses and buildings in the center. From 1991, the city center was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. In addition to the beautiful center, the surroundings of Sucre, which is located in a valley, are also beautiful because it is surrounded by mountains and nature. The climate of the city at 2900 meters altitude is mild and pleasant.


highlights


The inner city:

The center of "Sucre" is one with a very rich Spanish colonial history. For that reason, it abounds that in the inner city the colonial buildings, are all painted white. One of the buildings is the "Casa de la Libertad" where the independence of Bolivia was signed in 1825. It is now a museum. There are numerous beautiful churches to admire inside and out, including the "San lazaro" and the "San Fransisco" church but also the "Santo Domingo" church. You can take a look at the "Templo Nuestro Senora de la Merced" or the Franciscan monastery "La Recoleta". A freshly squeezed orange juice and watching local people in "Parque Bolivar" can be another but equally interesting thing during your trip in Bolivia. In addition to the above, there are numerous other museums in the city to visit (including the "Museo de la Catedral and Capilla de La Virgin de Guadalupe"). Do not forget to pay a visit to the local market. 

 

Other attractions:

The “Parque Cretacico” (Cal Orck'o) is about five kilometers outside the city center - a park where most dinosaur footsteps are found.



history


On 16 April 1540 Sucre was founded by a Spanish conquistador after a bloody battle with the local Indians at the foot of two surrounding hills where silver was found. The name of the city was then Ciudad de la Plata ("silver-town") and formed the capital of New Toledo. Other names that the city once wore are "Charcas" (to the Charcas area, part of the Virreinato del Perú (Viceroyalty Peru) where it was the capital) and "Chuquisaca". One of the nicknames of the city is "la Ciudad de Cuatro Nombres" (the city with four names). In 1559, the Spaniards settled in this city the Audiencia de Charcas, the government of an area now covered by Paraguay, Southeastern Peru, Northern Chile and Argentina and most of Bolivia. During the 17th century La Plata was the legal, religious and cultural center of the Spanish Eastern Territories, which were ruled from here. On May 25, 1809, the first call for independence from South America sounded from La Plata. In August 6, 1825 the independence of Bolivia followed. The name of La Plata was changed to Sucre on August 11 of that year, with which the city was named after Antonio José de Sucre, who had fought for independence with freedom fighter Simón Bolívar. Until 1898 Sucre Sede de los tres was Poderes del Estado (Seat of the Three State Forces), but after a brief civil war the government was moved to La Paz in 1899 and Sucre retained only the judicial institutions the Council of Justice, the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court as well as the head office of taxes. 



tips & advice (2011)


The bus terminal is about 2 to 3 km outside the city-center and is situated upon an plateau of a hill - it is also pretty difficult to find. TIP: take a taxi. At the "Sucre" terminal, you must pay a baggage tax of 2.5 pesos before you board the bus.

 

Sucre - La Paz: the night bus takes about 11 hours and we have paid 110 pesos (a bargain) - no toilet on board but a good bus with enough legroom and good seats.


In the German "Kulturcafe Kammer" you can enjoy a perfect "Western" breakfast (yogurt with fruit and a delicious cup of real coffee) and read Western newspapers and magazines. In the back room there is a ping-pong table that you can use.

 

Near the main square is the "Joyride" café – spent a hour inside and you have no idea of the fact that you are in Bolivia. Everything looks great, Western, lots of TV's, American pop music, several bars in a large building - a super gringo cafe.


  • Name: Hostal "Charcas"

Address: Ravelo 62

Price: 40 Globe (single)

Phone nr. : 645 3972

 

Content:

This very central hostel (located opposite the market) is a pretty popular backpacker hostel so you have to be quick (or make a reservation). There are different types of rooms (with and without toilet and shower inside) and although it is not completely super - there is hot water and fairly clean. Staff is friendly and you can even have your "laundry" done here.


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