Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz
Church in La Paz, Bolivia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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CountryBolivia
| Basilica of San Francisco | |
|---|---|
| |
 Basilica of San Francisco | |
| 16°29′47″S 68°08′14″W | |
| Location | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Country | Bolivia |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | 1549 |
| Dedication | Francis of Assisi |
| Architecture | |
Architectural type | Andean Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1743 |
| Completed | 1885 |
| Administration | |
| Division | Archdiocese of La Paz |
The building was built between 1743 and 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.
- Since 1965, the church houses a museum.
