Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz, Bolivia
Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz, Bolivia, Baroque church in central La Paz, Bolivia.
Basilica of San Francisco is a baroque church in central La Paz featuring a stone facade with three entrances and a bell tower set against the Andes. The building rises above the adjacent Plaza Mayor, showing elaborate stonework across its front.
The current church began construction in 1744 after the first structure from 1549 collapsed under heavy snow in the early 17th century. Work extended over several decades as stonemasons completed the richly decorated facade from local material.
The stone carvings on the facade show native Andean plants and animals alongside European motifs. This fusion appears especially in the columns and arches, where condors and tropical fruits sit next to Christian symbols.
The building sits at the intersection of Mariscal Santa Cruz Avenue and Sagarnaga Street beside the plaza. Visitors should choose the morning when light hits the facade from the west and the plaza is less busy.
The ceiling inside carries decorative elements similar to those at Santiago de Pomata church in Peru. This connection suggests the exchange of craftsmen or pattern books between both sites during colonial times.
Location: La Paz
Inception: 1743
Architectural style: baroque architecture
Address: Avenida Montes
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 06:30-23:30; Sunday 18:30-19:30
Phone: +59173050360
GPS coordinates: -16.49650,-68.13730
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29
Bolivia sits in the central Andes, linking mountain ranges, high plateau lands, and lowland rainforests in a landlocked country. The changes in altitude create different climate zones and landscapes, from snow-covered peaks to tropical vegetation. Many visitors start in La Paz, a city that clings to a canyon and where a cable car system moves traffic between neighborhoods. The colonial capital of Sucre preserves its white facades and courtyards from the 1600s, while Potosí sits at the foot of Cerro Rico, a mountain that saw centuries of silver mining. The natural sites range from Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian border to the Salar de Uyuni, an expansive salt flat that turns into a shallow mirror during the rainy season. Madidi National Park protects rainforest in the north, while the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve in the south shows colored lagoons and desert formations. The Tiwanaku archaeological site holds evidence of pre-Columbian civilizations, and the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos are wooden churches that survive in remote towns. The Valley of the Moon near La Paz forms eroded rocks that resemble lunar landscapes, and Torotoro National Park contains fossils and dinosaur tracks. The journey from La Paz to Coroico passes along the Death Road, a narrow mountain route that descends into the Yungas lowlands.
Plurinational Legislative Assembly
451 m
Casa Grande del Pueblo
365 m
Palacio Quemado
401 m
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz
338 m
Teatro Municipal de La Paz
412 m
Museo Nacional de Arte (Bolivia)
315 m
National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore
331 m
Templo Santo Domingo
380 m
Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas
552 m
Templo de la Merced
501 m
Coca Museum
168 m
Iglesia La Recoleta
475 m
Museo Tambo Quirquincho
334 m
Iglesia de San Sebastian
375 m
Mercado Lanza
320 m
Templo de San Agustin
399 m
Museo Litoral Boliviano
536 m
Pasarela Pérez Velasco
236 m
Palacio Consistorial de La Paz
403 m
Church of St. John of God
537 m
Iglesia del Carmen
569 m
Centro Cultural de España en La Paz
649 m
Gran Hotel París
477 m
Edificio Galería República
174 m
Edificio Ferretería Kautsch
39 m
Biblioteca Banco Central de Bolivia
422 m
Simón Bolívar
594 m
Palacio Legislativo
434 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes