Cathedral Basilica of St. Lawrence, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Metropolitan cathedral and minor basilica in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Lawrence stands on Plaza 24 de Septiembre in central Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Its reddish-brown brick facade, exposed when lime-and-sand plaster was removed in the second half of the 20th century, has two tall side towers capped by domes and three arched entrance doors reached by steps. The eclectic interior, designed by French architect Felipe Bertrés, has a long nave under a dark wood-paneled barrel vault supported by transverse arches, with square white columns edged in orange, pointed arches, dark wooden pews and glass chandeliers.
The first church was built by the Mercedarian friar Diego de Porres under Viceroy Francisco Álvarez de Toledo; in 1770 Bishop Ramón de Herbosos had it rebuilt, entrusting the works to the sacristan Antonio Lombardo. In 1838, under Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz and at the initiative of vice-president José Miguel de Velasco, the old temple was replaced by an eclectic church designed by the French architect Felipe Bertrés. It was consecrated on 18 August 1915.
The central square in front of the church serves as a meeting point for locals who linger after Mass or stroll in the evening. The red brick facade stands out clearly from the surrounding buildings and has shaped the cityscape of Santa Cruz for over a century.
The building stands directly on Plaza 24 de Septiembre and is easy to spot from all sides of the square. Visitors can enter the interior during opening hours but should wear respectful clothing and maintain silence during services.
Some silver ornaments and carved reliefs inside come from a former Jesuit mission in the Moxos region. These artworks connect European religious imagery with craft techniques from indigenous communities of the lowlands.
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