Plaza Murillo, La Paz

1 more image

The Cathedral is located at ‘Plaza Murillo’ in the centre of La Paz. It is built in 1835 and is an impressive building. However, I must admit that it is not the most interesting cathedral I have ever visited. The cathedrals in Lima and Cusco are both more impressive in my opinion.

Compared to what we have seen in especially Cusco, the altar here in La Paz was relatively simple… The highlight was the high ceilings and domes, which were decorated with large windows and beautiful glass mosaics.

Although Plaza Murillo is more 'hidden' than Plaza San Francisco, it is the traditional centre of La Paz.

The huge Cathedral faces it and around the square are a series of charming colonial architecture, including the Palacio Presidencial (Presidential palace) which is also known as Palacio Quemado (burnt palace) and the Congreso Nacional.

The plaza is much prettier than the others and at night, it is a romantic and quiet spot to hang out.

There are some restaurants around the plaza and even a local cinema.

The area to the north of the plaza starts to get a bit steep. At this altitude, any climb is an effort. Do take care.

1 more image

En la plaza Murillo están la Catedral , el Palacio Presidencial (Palacio Quemado ), el Congreso .el museo del Arte...
Vale la pena darse un paseo por allí y hacer alguna visitilla a los edificios
In Murillo square are the Cathedral , the Presidential Palace ( Burnt Palace ) , the Congress and the Arts Museum...
It is worthy to take a walk around and to make some visits to the buildings

Plaza Murillo, La Paz’s Plaza de Armas, contains the Presidential Palace. Its neighbour is the Cathedral. Tucked away between the two is the tomb of the third Bolivian president (one of the 195 of them) who like the previous had to do with the uprising against the Spanish despots. Pretty much like his colleagues in arms he ended up where they were sent from – France. While fellow troublemaker San Martin passed away somewhere in the south of France, our Bolivian hero Santa Cruz, died in Versailles – this true city of kings. Mind you, now they have very nice sarcophaguses, French style – it must be worth the effort.

This little square is located in the centre and is very lively daily, with people walking around, local vendors, doves, and a big fountain in the middle. Is nice to seat and observe daily life, and one of the few green square in the historic centres!

It is located in Plaza Murillo, a lively square in the very centre.
This impossing 1835 building was built on a slope, and is nice but not really very interesting inside, though the huge windows are interesting.

Even though the official capital is Sucre, the real political center of Bolivia is Plaza Murillo. It used to be called Plaza de Armas (same as the plaza in Cusco) but was renamed for Pedro Domingo Murillo, the Bolivian hero who helped Bolivia get its independence from Spain. Ironically, he was hanged there in 1810 before independence was gained. In the picture, you can also see the Cathedral and the Palacio Presidential. See also a separate travelogue.

This is the main square, the very heart of the city of La Paz. Around the square you will find Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) and Cathedral Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of La Paz), that you can see in the picture.

Esta es la plaza principal, el verdadero corazón de la ciudad de La Paz. Alrededor de la plaza se encuentran el Palacio de Gobierno y la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de La Paz, que se ve en esta foto.