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 |
| Dedicated to: | St. Francis |
| Location: | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Category: | Churches |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | Founded 1548; rebuilt 1784 |
| Architecture: | Baroque |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 16.496511° S, 68.1374° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Plaza San Francisco at Av. Mariscal Santa Cruz, La Paz, Bolivia |
| 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, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- La Paz Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to La Paz
- La Paz Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- La Paz Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on La Paz tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Frommer's South America, 2nd ed.
- Lonely Planet Bolivia, 51, 53.
- Iglesia San Francisco - Virtual Tourist
Article last updated: 07/02/2009.
