Cordillera de los Frailes – Pueblos Jalq’a – Cráter de Maragua

One of the most amazing side trips from Sucre takes you to the dramatic Cordillera de los Frailes, revealing wonderful scenery as well as the incredibly rich culture of the indigenous Jalq’a people. Though the ridge of the Andean mountain range can be reached from the city in just over an hour, the villages within it feel worlds away. Nestled at the foot of the mountains, they can be reached via trekking routes, ideally during the dry season from April to October.

The treks start about 35 km outside of Sucre, at an altitude of 3’600 m above sea level in Chataquila. This is the place where Tomás Katari, the leader of an indigenous rebellion against the Spanish rule, was murdered. The sanctuary, an important place of pilgrimage at the 7th of August, consists of a chapel and a shrine dedicated to the miraculous Virgin of Guadalupe. Enjoy typical cordillera mountain vistas hiking the 4,5 km down to Chaunaca on the prehispanic trade road, more commonly known as the Inca Trail. Landscape-wise the alternative route via the two rock painting sites Pumamachay and Incamachay is equally nice. The paintings date back maybe 1’500 years for the first site and about 2’500 for the latter.

The area is the homeland of the Jalq’a people. They are Bolivia’s only indigenous community depicting the underworld in their textiles. Located in a crimson-red landscape, Potolo is the area’s largest village. It is possible to watch the Jalq’a women at work, allowing you to witness the ancient weaving techniques. The black and red weavings, called aqsus, represent the “ukhu pacha”, a dark and chaotic underworld, inhabited by scary, mythical beings called “khurus”. The zoomorphic and geometric patterns were originally used for clothing. The Indigenous Art Revival Program created by ASUR in 1986 started recovering the nearly lost, ancestral weaving techniques with the idea of strengthening the cultural integrity and generating additional income for the indigenous communities.

The crater of Maragua, surrounded by shell-shaped layers of multicoloured rock, provides an incredible setting for the two weaving villages Maragua and Irupampa. A cemetery that exists since prehistoric times can be found in the center of the crater. Hiking through the quiet pastureland behind the ridge, dotted with small farms, you might find yourself handing out coca leaves every now and then, as you make your way to a spot called Niñu Mayu. Here you will come across dinosaur footprints, embedded in a large sloping section of rock, making it easy to step back in time and picture dinosaurs escaping from the crater. The Garganta del Diablo (devil’s throat), a cavern with stalactites and stalagmites situated behind a 40-metre waterfall, is shrouded in legend and only a 15-minute walk from Maragua. The nearby community of Irupampa is also worth a detour in order to drop by the small museum set up and run by Crispín. He is a charismatic local, who has worked along with all the archeological experts who came to the area and is happy to share his passion for archeology, history and culture.

Museo Nacional de Etnografía y Folklore (MUSEF)

The Ethnographic and Folklore Museum (MUSEF) started as an institute of research and has established itself as a cultural space. It shows Bolivia’s folkloric and ethnic diversity from the pre-Columbian era to the present. The temporary exhibition rooms are dedicated to displaying living cultures; ethnic groups; objects made of leather, wood and earthenware; weavings and photographs among others things.

Don’t miss out on the superb permanent exhibition on the ground floor showcasing masks used in festivals and religious ceremonies in communities throughout Bolivia. Learn more about Bolivia’s traditional dances, ethnic groups, music, history and customs by watching a collection of short films in the museum’s video library.

GOBLIN a family-run brewpub

GOBLIN BAR serves cask-conditioned craft beer created by our expert master brewer from carefully selected ingredients. To produce our six distinct, full-bodied ales that maintain a persistent foam, we incorporate select malts. Our roasting process adds caramel flavours with a touch of coffee and slightly smoky hints, while the moderate, hoppy bitterness is achieved by a 3-step hopping process. Our beers are naturally fermented and carbonated with high-quality, imported yeast strains. The bar’s walls are decorated with sketches of goblins and other fantastical creatures. Live rock DVDs ensure a great vibe for your night out. Goblin’s friendly and intimate atmosphere will make you feel right at home.

A casual and relaxed ambience that makes it easy to meet people and make friends with Bolivians alike.

We also serve Danish-style pizza using yeast from our own beer for the dough.

We love it when people bring us brewery coasters from around the world!

Our beers are produced according to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Purity Law of 1516. This means that our beers are 100% vegan friendly.

Specialities:

Cosmo Café

The owner, Sayda Quispe Solíz, has a passion for the European, especially Mediterranean, as well as Asian and South American cuisine.

In 2014 came the plan to open another restaurant so as to use all those ideas that didn’t fit in with any of the other projects. This is how COSMO CAFÉ came to be. We’ve been serving our customers a universally popular gourmet cuisine smack on the main square “Plaza 25 de Mayo” for a few years now.

“Cosmo Café” offers a different lunch menu every day from Monday to Friday; details are published on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/cosmocafesucre

The lunch menu is a great occasion for us to try out delicious, new dishes at no extra cost for our customers, although sometimes high costs are involved in their preparation. It is our way of ensuring customer satisfaction when adding new dishes to our à la carte menu.

We serve European, Bolivian and Asian food. We make our own pastries.

Other activities include events and catering. We also have a technical service for Italian coffee machines (Whatsapp: 71174632).

• Menu COSMO

Templo de San Felipe Neri

Construction work on the city’s most remarkable neoclassical church was started in 1795 and completed in 1800. The church, entirely built using stone from nearby Churuquella hill, is an imposing sight. It contains a single nave divided into four sections and houses noteworthy paintings by 18th- and 19th-century neoclassical artists. Famous people from the colonial and republican days are buried in the convent’s crypt.

Enjoy a gorgeous panoramic view from the ashlar masonry seats on the church’s roof terrace.

The adjacent María Auxiliadora School provides the entrance.

Templo de San Francisco

A makeshift structure was originally built on the church’s site by Brother Francisco de Aroca. It was later turned into a chapel, which makes San Francisco one of Sucre’s oldest churches. A new single-nave church was erected in 1581.

The church’s most remarkable features are its five types of Renaissance, Mudejar and baroque coffered ceilings. The main altar and the aisles feature gilded carvings.

The church’s crypt holds the remains of the Spanish conquerors who founded the city.

The two four-sided bell towers were built at the same time as the church. One of them houses the Liberty Bell, cast in 1800. It received its name after May 25, 1809, when it called the people to participate in the social movement, which history recalls as the First Cry for Independence.

Plaza 25 de Mayo

In colonial Sucre the main square, surrounded by the most important governmental, religious and civil buildings, was located in the heart of the city. Colonial life revolved around the Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas as it was called back then.

Its original layout as a square and its size still remain the same. Its main features like the diagonal and circular paths, the monuments dedicated to the liberators, the pavilion, the main stone fountain as well as other smaller fountains stem from the French influenced era that started after the country’s independence.

Sucre’s citizens used to go to the square to court; the women walking clockwise and the men anticlockwise around the square so that the men got the opportunity to greet the women each time they passed each other. Stories like this one add to the plaza’s charm.

Catedral Metropolitana

The cathedral is the most important religious building of Sucre, which at that time was still called Charcas. It was canonically established on June 27, 1552 as the Cathedral Church of Charcas, respectively La Plata (the city’s first name). Its construction in the Renaissance style with later baroque additions was finally completed in 1712.

The three naves are covered with ribbed vaults that feature Gothic touches. The architectural site comprises sacristies, the chapter house and adjoining chapels, which reflect the different construction stages.

The Mannerist portal stands on paired Tuscan columns and the baroque portal on the plaza side was designed by architect Gonzales Merquete.

The church’s vestibule is surrounded by a bevelled stone balustrade. The cross stone on its ledge is known under the traditional name of “RUMI CRUZ”.

The clock on the top of the tower dates back to 1772 and is still working. The tower is Sucre’s most characteristic landmark.

Chapel of the Virgin from Guadalupe

The size of the chapel, built in 1602 on the orders of Bishop Alonso Ramírez de Vergara, was increased in 1617 by Brother Gerónimo Mendez de la Tiedra. The chapel being dedicated to the worship of the Virgin of Guadalupe, it houses Brother Diego de Ocaña’s 1601 painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The public’s veneration of the image showing Sucre’s patron saint continues unabated.

A gold-plated silver layer was added to the original canvas in 1784, covering the Virgin’s mantle. Of the original painting only the Virgin’s head, her arms and the baby can still be seen.

For centuries, the canvas has been adorned with pearls and gems by humble followers and Bolivia’s historical figures alike.

Pique a lo Macho

Originally, Pique Macho is typical Cochabamba food that eventually became one of Bolivia’s favourite dishes. This speciality is based on pieces of beef that are cooked in their own juices, boiled eggs, chips as well as slices of hot dog, sweet pepper, tomato, onion and locoto chillies, served with a good amount of mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup drizzled over the top.

Café Florin

Café FLORIN is a Dutch/Bolivian run café-restaurant and bar in the centre of Sucre.

Florin opened in 2008 its doors and since day 1 it’s one of the most popular bars in town.

During the day Café Florin offers a nice ambiance and a colonial patio where you can work and use a very fast wi-fi. The dishes are safely prepared according to international standards. A special lunch menu is offered from noon. You can also try Bolivian and international dishes such as pique a lo macho, bitterballen, pork ribs, pad thai, llama loin and a lot more.

Café Florin even has several vegan options, worth to try!

Every night from 21:30 Café Florin offers an extended Happy Hour menu with selected drinks like mojito cubano, cuba libre or try one of the local beers. All drinks are original: you get what you order.

Enjoy one of the best Bolivian cups of coffee in town, grown and toasted in the Yungas, have a chuflay (singani with ginger ale) of try one of the local beers like Brewcraft.

Tuesday is hamburger night, with a discount on all burgers. The lama burger is a classic !

Every Wednesday there is a free acoustic concert.

And thursday the famous steak night, with a special price for a big juicy steak.

Café Florin is also popular by Sportfans; watch your favourite Premier- and Champions League games.
Check the facebook page for events and special offers.

Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Merced

Built in the middle of the 16th century by the Order of Mercy, the church’s main highlight is its cedar carved main altar. The carved and gilded altarpieces inside of it are sure to catch your eye. One of them is considered to be the Audiencia of Charcas’ oldest altarpiece. Sixteen famous and Bolivia’s only in situ paintings by the esteemed artist Melchor Pérez de Holguín, along with the baroque-style pulpit, are part of the church’s artistic interest. The pulpit as well as the left side altarpiece were done by the indigenous artist Luis Niño.

The central nave is covered with coffered vaults; one of the aisles with two half-orange-shaped vaults and the other one with a Mudejar coffered ceiling as well as two coffered Renaissance ceilings with four-leaved carvings.

La Dolce Vita

Desde 2007, la Dolce Vita, una casa de huéspedes familiar franco-suiza, brinda un cuadro encantador para su estadía en el centro de Sucre. Nuestras 10 habitaciones son amplias, confortables y coloridas; ¡se sentirá como en casa! Todas las habitaciones se encuentran dotadas de suelo de madera. Los baños, que sean privados o compartidos, tienen duchas con agua calentada a gas natural las 24 horas del día. La Dolce Vita también le ofrece una cocina bien equipada, una terraza soleada, un patio agradable, una sala de estar con tele con cable y lector DVD, WIFI gratis así que un ambiente distendido.

La Dolce Vita se encuentra a una calle del mercado central, a dos calles de la iglesia San Francisco y sus tiendas de recuerdos así que a tres cuadras de la plaza principal “25 de Mayo”. Con mucho gusto les ayudaremos a ubicarse en la ciudad, dándoles consejos sobre los lugares para visitar y comer.

Tenemos habitaciones familiares con capacidad de hasta 5 personas. No tenemos dormitorios. Descuentos para estadías de 5+ y 21+ días.

Horario de atención para llegadas: 7 am a 9 pm.

Parador Santa María La Real

The Parador Santa María La Real is an artsy, historic hotel. Steeped in a rich past, it showcases past and present traditions that awaken our senses. This 18th century manor house has been lovingly restored and refurbished with an eye for architectural details while keeping its original structure intact. Staying in this remarkable hotel is a chance to relive the history of America’s White City. Every single corner has plenty of stories to tell and each decorative element, be it pictures, paintings or furniture, recalls snapshots of life in the old days.

– Single room with private bathroom accommodating 1 adult and 1 child under 12

– Twin room with 2 double beds and private bathroom accommodating 2 adults and 2 children under 12

– Double room with private bathroom accommodating 2 adults

– Junior suite with private bathroom accommodating 2 adults

– Master suite with private bathroom accommodating 2 adults

Service features:

Rates include American breakfast buffet

Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas

Room service

Laundry service

Cafeteria Restaurant Watanay

Los Tejados Spa

Airport transfer (additional fee)

Business centre

Sponsoring

Links

            

Facebook

Contact

www.parador.com.bo
info@parador.com.bo

Calle Bolívar 625

Sucre – Bolivia

+591 71162191 

+(591) 4 6461688