The Museos Universitarios Charcas offer one of the most complete cultural experiences in Sucre, bringing together three distinct museums within a single historic colonial building in the heart of the city. Managed by the prestigious Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, this cultural complex is a must-visit for anyone interested in Bolivia’s history, art, and identity.
Housed in a remarkable building dating back to the colonial period—once associated with noble families and known as the “Casa del Gran Poder”—the site itself is part of the experience. Its preserved architecture, inner courtyards, and historical atmosphere transport visitors directly into Sucre’s past.
🏛️ Museo Colonial Charcas
This museum features an outstanding collection of colonial (viceregal) art, including European Mannerist and Baroque paintings alongside mestizo works from the Charcas, Potosí, and Cusco schools. Highlights include pieces by renowned artists such as Melchor Pérez de Holguín and Gaspar Miguel de Berrío. The collection is complemented by silverwork, sculptures, and antique furniture from the 17th to 19th centuries.
🎨 Contemporary Art Gallery
Located within the same complex, this gallery showcases 20th-century and contemporary Bolivian art, with a strong focus on regional artists. Works by figures such as Cecilio Guzmán de Rojas highlight the importance of indigenous identity and modern artistic expression in Bolivia.
🏺 Museo Antropológico
Dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Chuquisaca region, this museum is divided into archaeology, ethnography, and folklore. Its extensive collection includes ceramics, tools, weapons, and ritual objects spanning over 3,500 years of history—from pre-Columbian civilizations to the colonial era. Particularly striking are the mummified remains and trepanned skulls, offering rare insights into ancient medical practices and ancestral cultures.
👉 What makes this site truly unique is the possibility of experiencing three complementary perspectives—colonial art, contemporary creativity, and ancestral cultures—all in one place.
