Sucre

DAY 33 (1 OF 2) – WHITE CITY, SUCRE, BOLIVIA

Set in a mountain valley, Sucre enjoys mild temperature and it was pleasant to walk around in the city to check out the white colonial buildings. In fact, there is strict control on buildings’ exterior finishes here in order to maintain the “White City”. Declared as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991, Sucre is a Bolivian showpiece of colonial architecture including the Casa de la Libertad where Bolivia’s declaration of independence was signed in 1825, the Cathedral with its distinctive bell tower, a dozen or so museums housed in big whitewashed buildings, and many churches and convents. During our 1.5-day stay in Sucre, we spent most of the time wandering the streets around Plaza de Mayo. Before we left the city, we walked up the hill southeast of Plaza de Mayo to Plaza Anzures, where a covered colonnade offering a good view of the city below; but the view didn’t come close to match our experience on the rooftop of Convento de San Felipe Neri.

* * *

Read other posts on Sucre, Bolivia
Day 32.1 – Convento de san Felipe Neri
Day 32.2 – Museum Night, Sucre, Bolivia
Day 33.1 – White City, Sucre, Bolivia

Next Destination – Potosi, Bolivia
Continuing on our journey from post Day 33.2

* * *

South America 2013 – Our Destinations
Buenos Aires (Argentina), Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Pantanal (Brazil), Brasilia (Brazil), Belo Horizonte & Inhotim (Brazil), Ouro Preto (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Paraty (Brazil), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Samaipata & Santa Cruz (Bolivia), Sucre (Bolivia), Potosi (Bolivia), Southwest Circuit (Bolivia), Tilcara, Purmamarca, Salta (Argentina), Cafayate (Argentina), San Pedro de Atacama (Chile), Antofagasta & Paranal Observatory (Chile), Chiloe (Chile), Puerto Varas (Chile), Torres del Paine (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), El Chalten (Argentina), El Calafate (Argentina), Isla Magdalena (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), Valparaiso (Chile), Afterthought

November 11, 2013 | Categories: Bolivia, Day 31 to 40, Sucre | Tags: Architecture, Bolivia, colonial, Sucre | Leave a comment

DAY 32 (2 OF 2) – MUSEUM NIGHT, SUCRE, BOLIVIA

Two times per year, the City of Sucre would host a Museum Night offering everyone to visit Sucre’s finest cultural institutions for free. It happened that tonight was their Museum Night. We didn’t get into any of the museums because of the long lineups, but were delighted to see the large turnout attracted by the event and jubilant atmosphere around Plaza de Mayo.

* * *

Read other posts on Sucre, Bolivia
Day 32.1 – Convento de san Felipe Neri
Day 32.2 – Museum Night, Sucre, Bolivia
Day 33.1 – White City, Sucre, Bolivia

* * *

November 11, 2013 | Categories: Bolivia, Day 31 to 40, Sucre | Tags: art, Bolivia, museum, night, Sucre | Leave a comment

DAY 32 (1 OF 2) – CONVENTO DE SAN FELIPE NERI, SUCRE, BOLIVIA

From Santa Cruz, we took a morning flight to Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia. At 2750m above sea level, the arrival of Sucre marked our first stop on the Bolivian highlands. Nicknamed as the “White City”, this World Heritage city contains some well-preserved colonial architecture. To appreciate the white colonial architecture, we went up to the rooftop of Convento de San Felipe Neri. Formerly a monastery, San Felipe Neri is now a parochial school which only opens to the public in late afternoon. Upon arrival, we walked past the main courtyard, admired some of the religious paintings, and then ascended one of the stairs to reach the rooftop terrace, the highlight of the visit. At the rooftop, not only the views of the surrounding buildings were amazing, but also the layering of balustrades, terraces, and bell towers of San Felipe Neri were lovely as well. We could have spent the entire afternoon up there if not restricted by their opening time.