La Recoleta Monastery, Franciscan monastery in Sucre, Bolivia
La Recoleta is a Franciscan monastery in Sucre featuring square courtyards bordered by stone column corridors that create shaded walkways. Gardens with roses and geraniums grow throughout the grounds, dotting the spaces between the structures.
Franciscan monks founded the monastery in 1601 on Churuquella hill following a substantial land donation from Bishop Alonso Ramirez de Vergara in 1599. This early establishment made it one of the region's primary religious centers.
The monastery served as a religious community where Franciscan monks lived and worshipped for centuries, shaping its layout and daily rhythms. This spiritual purpose remains visible in the chapel spaces and the quiet, ordered arrangement of the grounds.
The monastery sits near a plaza featuring the Peregrina fountain, designed by Martin de Oviedo, making it easy to locate. The open layout allows visitors to explore the different courtyards and corridors at their own pace.
A chapel next to the monastery holds the Cruz Encarnada, installed by Francisco Solano in 1585 before the main complex was built. This cross adds a deeper historical layer to the site that predates the monastery's founding.
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