Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz

The Basilica of San Francisco in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, is a Catholic church under the advocation of Francis of Assisi. It is located in the center of the city, in the square that bears its name, Plaza San Francisco.

Basilica of San Francisco
16°29′47″S 68°08′14″W
LocationLa Paz, Bolivia
CountryBolivia
DenominationCatholic Church
Websitewww.museosanfranciscobolivia.com
History
Founded1549
DedicationFrancis of Assisi
Architecture
Architectural typeAndean Baroque
Groundbreaking1743
Completed1885
Administration
DivisionArchdiocese of La Paz

The building was built between 1743-1772[1] but its tower was built in the end of the 19th century.

History

It was built between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries in the so-called Andean Baroque style. Milestones in its history include:

  • In 1548, the Convent of San Francisco was founded along the Choqueyapu River by Fray Francisco de Morales.
  • In August 1549 the construction of the first Church of San Francisco began, which was concluded in 1581.
  • Between 1608 and 1612 the first church collapsed as a result of a snowfall of considerable proportions.
  • Between 1743 and 1744 the construction of the present church began.
  • In 1753, the closure and the roof of the church's dome were completed.
  • On April 23, 1758, it was consecrated.
  • In 1790, the carved façade is finished.
  • In 1885, the construction of its single tower began.
  • In 1948, it was declared a minor basilica.
  • Between 1950 and 1960, part of the convent was demolished and the atrium reconfigured.
  • Between 1965 and 2005, the church was restored, and the part of the convent remained was enabled as a museum.

References
  1. Adriana Olivera (1 June 2016). "Descubre La Paz: Museo de San Francisco". La Región (Bolivian newspaper). La Paz.

Sources
  • The façade.
  • The cloister.

See also
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