Sucre

Bolivia's Most Beautiful City

Without a doubt, Sucre is Bolivia’s most beautiful city. It sits in south-central Bolivia, at 2,808 meters above sea level, in a valley surrounded by low mountains, and enjoys a mild, pleasant climate. Sucre is the constitutional and historical capital of Bolivia: its official name is “The Honorable and Heroic City of Sucre”.

From Charcas to Sucre: A City of Many Names

Over time, Sucre has had several different names: “Charcas”, its original name until 1538; “La Plata”, from 1538 to 1776, during the Viceroyalty of Peru; and “Chuquisaca”, from 1776 to 1825, during the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata. Bolivia’s independence was proclaimed in the city on August 6, 1825, and ever since the city has been called “Sucre”, in honor of its liberator Antonio José de Sucre.

World Heritage Site Since 1991

Thanks to its whitewashed buildings, splendid courtyards and intact colonial architecture, Sucre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Among the city’s many historic landmarks, it is well worth visiting the Casa de la Libertad, a 17th-century building built by the Jesuits, where many heroes of South American independence were educated; the Catedral Metropolitana de Sucre, considered one of Bolivia’s most beautiful cathedrals; and the Convent of San Felipe Neri, which offers one of the most spectacular views over the city.

La Recoleta, also known as the Monasterio de Santa Ana de Montesino, was built by Franciscan friars and houses a museum of religious artifacts, as well as colonial and republican art. Among the city’s many museums, we recommend a visit to the Natural History Museum, the Anthropological Museum, and the Asur Textile and Ethnographic Museum, alongside a rich choice of cultural and culinary experiences.

Today La Paz is home to the government and treasury, while Sucre is the judicial seat, where the Supreme Court still meets.