Casa Dorada, Tarija, National monument in Tarija, Bolivia.
Casa Dorada is a residence completed in 1903 in Tarija that combines Art Nouveau features with Mudéjar elements, including a white marble staircase connecting two main floors. The ground floor contains nine interconnected storefronts that originally served the Navajas family as commercial spaces for their goods.
Swiss and Italian architects Antonio and Miguel Camponovo designed this house for businessman Moisés Navajas Ichazo, taking sixteen years to complete the construction. The building rose during a period when Tarija was experiencing growing wealth from trade and agriculture.
The private chapel inside displays frescoes of the Passion of Christ painted by Italian artists, bringing European artistic traditions to this Andean city. This religious decoration shows how local wealth connected to international artistic networks of that era.
The building now houses the Casa de la Cultura de Tarija, where visitors can explore historical artifacts and original artwork during guided tours on weekdays. Check ahead before visiting, as opening hours can vary depending on local events and seasonal schedules.
The nine storefronts on the ground floor were designed so various types of merchandise from the Navajas family could be accessed from a central inner courtyard. This layout allowed the owners to manage their large trading business efficiently from one location.
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