Tourism in Sucre
In Sucre the First Scream for Liberty in Latin America took place on 25th May 1809. It is the official capital of Bolivia and one of the most ancient cities of South America.
Founded by the Spanish in the mid-1500s as “La Plata” (The Silver), it was the colonial capitol of the region of Charcas, on the route between Lima and Buenos Aires.
After the Spanish began their exploitation of the rich mineral wealth located in Potosi, the “Cerro Rico” (Rich Mountain), they selected Sucre as a more temperate location to reside. As a result of the extensive wealth derived from Potosi, the city of Sucre became the home of the Spanish Real Audiencia, Roman Catholic Church, monasteries and universities in the region. Thus the city took on the feel of a late-medieval Spanish town with an impressive collection of religious institutions and civic buildings. In this manner, Sucre is a very unique home of Spanish culture that was transplanted and transformed as it integrated with native Quechua-speaking people.
The glorious historical and cultural past of Sucre are reflected in the many churches and mansions of colonial days with their white facades tucked away in the numerous narrow streets. Sucre is one of the most representative colonial cities of America and is a living museum where you can enjoy and appreciate examples of the splendor of the Audience of Charcas from the colonial era.
One of the most visited attractions in Sucre is the House of Liberty, where the Independence Act was signed on the 6th of August 1825. The building was used as Legislative Palace from 1701 until 1889. Today it is the most important museum showcasing the history of Bolivia. In the museum also the first Argentine flag is preserved, Belgrano´s Flag of 1813, or the Flag of Macha (referring to the village of Macha, in the department of Potosí, where it was found in 1885 in a rural church). Throughout the year, there are many exhibitions of cultural and historical relevance and in its rooms regularly conferences and classical music concerts are organized.
The third most ancient University of America was founded in 1614: Universidad Mayor, Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca. Inside its buildings, the first revolutionary ideas in the region were expressed, based on the emerging thinking about "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" of the French Revolution. The main building hosts the administration offices and is situated next to the historical Faculty of Law.
In the city of Sucre, you can find the National Archives and Library of Bolivia, one of the oldest and most extensive collections about the history of America. The place is visited by recognized researchers and historians from all over the world.
Churches
The Convent and Temple of Santa Clara
The Convent and Temple of Santa Clara is situated just in front of Hotel Villa Antigua and was founded in 1636. Today there is still a nunnery in the cloisters. It includes a museum with an exhibition of paintings, religious sculpture, musical instruments, as well as other arts. It contains important works of Bitti and Montúfar, as well as those of many anonymous artists. The organ from the XVII century was recently restored in 1998. From 2016, you can see espectacular wall paintings, discovered a décade before and restaured, representing the life of the Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ. Read more >
The Cathedral of Sucre
The original construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sucre was begun in 1539 with a single nave. Later a beautiful wood-carved retablo, the choir and the baptism chapel were added. The notorious tower was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1600, but was rebuilt later. Its recently enhanced museum preserves ancient music manuscripts and an extensive variety of arts.
Church and Convent of San Felipe de Neri
The Church and Convent of San Felipe de Neri were built at the end of the XVIII century. The church is considered one of the first examples of neoclassic style in Bolivia and its construction is attributed to the military engineer Joaquín Mosquera. It is an expression of the power of the Catholic Church in the flourishing American society.
The views over the city from its roofs are truly magnificent and a reference for the tourists that visit us. The church has Sacred Art works of the XVIII and XIX centuries with an important component of indigenous artists. In the crypt rest the mortal remains of the last President of the Real Audiencia de Charcas, Ramón García Pizarro, and of the Archbishop Benito María Moxó y Francoli, among others.
The Monastery and square of La Recoleta
Th
e Monastery of La Recoleta was founded in 1601 by the Franciscans, it is a serene environment situated in the middle of a square beautifully surrounded by corridors full of roses and geraniums. Ideal to rest at the end of the day observing the sunset, since its location at the foot of the Churuquello hill offers a beautiful view over the colonial city and the mountains of the Cordillera de los Frailes.
The Chapel of 'Virgen de Guadalupe'
Natural and ecotourism
Sucre is located exactly at the very watershed of the Amazon and Río de La Plata basins - at the hearth of the aquatic division of South America.
Sucre is the capital of the Chuquisaca department. The region comprises of a number of short mountain ranges, encircling temperate valleys that are crisscrossed by sparkling fresh streams. The region is blessed with its beautiful natural landscapes and ample biodiversity and contains some unique and hardly discovered species only found here.
Around Sucre, you can visit the beautiful countryside of Yotala and Ñucchu, Natural Reserve El Palmar, the glen of the Cachimayo River, the synclinal of Maragua and sites with warm water springs like Los Álamos, Huata and Talula. The landscape is truly enjoyable, attractive, serene and peaceful.
Tarabuco
Tarabuco is one of the major attractions, just one hours drive from Sucre. Every Sunday, you can visit and enjoy the traditional Indigenous Market. The colourful pre-Columbian cloths worn by the locals guarantee an unforgettable experience. Every year, on the third Sunday of March, the indigenous festival of Pujllay is organized, the most authentic indigenous celebration of Bolivia.
Dinosaur Tracks and Cretaceous Park
Just about everywhere in the Chuquisaca department and Sucre itself you can find the amazing dinosaur tracks and other evidence of their existence. In Sucre, the Cretaceous Park has been created where you can learn about the prehistory of Chuquisaca and see the world's largest collection of dino tracks.