The intriguing colonial city of Sucre, Bolivia
Recently, I got some nice references about Sucre, the constitutional capital city of Bolivia, that I like to share:
First a written impression from the academic historian and professor of Spanish History Roger Martinez of the University of Colorado:
The city, founded by the Spanish in the mid-1500s as “La Plata”, or “Silver”, was the colonial capitol of the region of Charcas. After the Spanish discovered and began their exploitation of the rich mineral wealth located in Potosi, aka “Cerro Rico” or “Rich Mountain”, the Spanish selected Sucre as a more temperate location to reside. As a result of the extensive wealth derived from Potosi, the city of La Plata became the home of the Spanish Real Audiencia, Roman Catholic Church, monasteries, and universities in the region. Thus the city took on the feel of a late-medieval Spanish town with an impressive collection of religious institutions and civic buildings. In this manner, Sucre is a very unique home of Spanish culture that was transplanted and transformed as it integrated with native Quechua-speaking people.
Then a visual impression* of the photographer Waldo Maluenda which very well complements the words above:
So for everyone who wants to experience colonial Latin or South America or to get to know Bolivia, Sucre is the place to visit. Not without reason the UNESCO nominated the city as a World Heritage Site.
To stay in the right ambiance and immerse in the history, there are several nice hotels in Sucre Bolivia, being Hotel Villa Antigua a good option: www.villaantiguahotel.com.
*: These photos may not be reproduced without permission of the photographer.
