Iglesia de San Francisco, La Paz
Façade of the Iglesia San Francisco. Photo © Nick Leonard.
Neoclassical interior of the church. Photo
Sergio Serrano.
Atmospheric stair-tunnel to the roof. Photo
Nathan Nelson.
Roof of the San Francisco Church. Photo
Nathan Nelson.
Location map and aerial view of Iglesia de San Francisco. For a larger interactive view, see our La Paz Map.
The Iglesia de San Francisco in La Paz is notable for its intricately carved façade, one the finest examples of baroque-mestizo architecture in the Americas.
History
Construction on the original San Francisco Church began on this site in 1548, one year before the founding of La Paz. The church collapsed under the weight of snow in 1610 and was reconstructed in 1784.
What to See
Blending native and Catholic art, San Francisco's Baroque façade is richly decorated with indigenous symbols such as masked figures, snakes, dragons and tropical birds.
A similar blending of traditions can be seen on the Plaza de San Francisco in front of the church: a modern sculpture of rock pillars and stone faces honors Bolivia's three great cultures: the ancient people of Tiwanaku; the Incas; and modern Bolivians.
The interior is Neoclassical in style, featuring small cedar altars decorated with gold leaf designs. The roof can be climbed for fine views of the church rooftops and the city of La Paz.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Iglesia de San Francisco; Church of St. Francis; St. Francisco Church; San Francisco Church |
| Location: | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Dedication: | St. Francis |
| Category: | Churches |
| Architecture: | Baroque |
| Date: | Founded 1548; rebuilt 1784 |
| Status: | active |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Plaza San Francisco at Av. Mariscal Santa Cruz, La Paz, Bolivia |
| Coordinates: | 16.496511° S, 68.1374° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Opening hours: | Mon-Sat 4-6pm |
| Cost: | Free |
Travel Resources
- La Paz Map - our detailed interactive map of La Paz, plus hand-picked links to more
- La Paz Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- La Paz Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article Sources
- Frommer's South America, 2nd ed.
- Lonely Planet Bolivia, 51, 53.
- Iglesia San Francisco - Virtual Tourist
Last updated on July 2, 2009.
