Palacio Portales, European-inspired palace in Cercado, Bolivia.

Palacio Portales is a European-inspired palace in Cercado featuring marble and wooden details with decorative sculptural elements throughout. The structure combines various architectural styles in its interior spaces and expansive garden areas.

Simón Iturri Patiño, a tin magnate, had the palace designed by architect Eugene Bliault and built between 1915 and 1927, but his family never lived in it. In 1964, ahead of a visit by French president Charles de Gaulle, the empty building was found without water or electricity and with a leaking roof; it was restored before his arrival. It now houses the Centro Pedagógico y Cultural Simón I. Patiño.

Since 1970 the palace has housed the Centro Pedagógico y Cultural Simón I. Patiño, named after the tin magnate who commissioned it. The centre runs educational programmes and temporary exhibitions rather than displaying the family's original furniture, since the Patiños never moved in. Visitors can also see the garden statues of Roman emperors, zodiac signs, cherubs and angels.

The palace is accessible to visitors through guided tours on certain weekdays, allowing exploration of the interior spaces and garden grounds. It is advisable to check hours in advance since these may vary seasonally.

The gardens display numerous sculptures depicting zodiac signs, angels, and female figures among exotic plants. This collection of artworks creates an unusual setting where nature and classical decoration blend.