Basilica of St. Francis, Sucre, Bolivia Verified listing

Basilica of St. Francis, Sucre, Bolivia

The Basilica of San Francisco de Charcas stands proudly in Sucre’s historic center. The Franciscans began their mission in 1539 when Pedro Hinojosa donated a piece of land. Soon after, Constanza de Almendras gave them more property. With both parcels combined, they started building the temple and the adjoining convent. They finished the main nave in 1580 and moved the remains of Sucre’s founders from the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. A year later, they inaugurated the church. Over time, they added several side chapels, giving the structure its present form.

Moreover, the basilica witnessed a key moment in Bolivian history. On May 25, 1809, revolutionaries rang the Campana de la Libertad from its tower. That sound ignited the first cry for independence in Latin America. Later, in 1825, President Antonio José de Sucre seized the convent and handed it to the Municipality and the Ministry of War. Afterward, the complex became a barracks, an armory, and a stable. Despite those changes, the church reopened for worship in 1868.

Eventually, in 1925, the Franciscans regained part of their convent. Restoration work followed in 1946, preserving the original colonial character. Furthermore, in 1996, workers reopened the crypt and uncovered the remains of early settlers like Juan López de Cepeda and Juan José Segovia. On June 20, 1999, church leaders consecrated the building as a temple. Two months later, they raised it to the status of Minor Basilica, marking its renewed importance.

Today, the basilica attracts pilgrims and tourists alike. Visitors admire its gilded altars, bright wooden ceilings, and asymmetrical towers. One doorway opens to the former convent courtyard, which the Bolivian Army now occupies. Altogether, this sacred site stands as a symbol of Bolivia’s faith, resilience, and enduring colonial heritage.

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