Sucre
Unofficially referred to as ‘the city of four names,’ following numerous titles bestowed upon its rich legacy, Sucre or Ciudad Blanca (White City) as it is now more commonly known, was originally founded during the 16th century by Spaniard Pedro de Anzures as Bolivia’s judicial capital city.
Sucre’s well preserved colonial buildings earned the city UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1992. The charming Plaza 25 de Mayo dominated by its 17th century cathedral is an excellent base from which to explore this thriving city. A stroll through its warren of cobblestone streets reveals a showcase of fine architectural styles ranging from Renaissance to Baroque periods, all whitewashed and many festooned with flowers. The excellent ethnographic textile museum displays an array of colourful weavings and textiles from the surrounding villages, including Tarabuco, where a bustling indigenous market is held every Sunday. One of Sucre’s leading attractions was discovered as recently as 1994 by quarrymen who uncovered an almost vertical limestone cliff on Cal Orcko pitted with an enormous collection of dinosaur footprints. Aside from its many historical marvels, Sucre is also a prestigious university city attracting hoards of eager students from throughout Bolivia.