Museum sights in La Paz
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A
Coca Museum
Chew on some facts inside the small, slightly tired Coca Museum, which explores the sacred leaf’s role in traditional societies, its use by the soft-drink and pharmaceutical industries, and the growth of cocaine as an illicit drug. The displays (ask for a translation in your language) are educational, provocative and evenhanded.
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B
Mirador Laikakota
The Mirador Laikakota - part of Kusillo Cultural Complex & Children's Museum - is in a tranquil park setting and is perfect for kids.
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C
Iglesia de San Francisco
The hewed stone basilica of San Francisco reflects an appealing blend of 16th-century Spanish and mestizo (indigenous-Spanish) trends. The facade is decorated with stone carvings of natural themes while the mass of rock pillars and stone faces in the upper portion of the plaza is intended to honor Bolivia's three great cultures - Tiahuanaco, Inca and modern.
The cloisters and garden of the recently opened Museo San Francisco, adjacent to the basilica, beautifully revive the history and art of the city's landmark. There are heavenly religious paintings, historical artifacts, an interesting anteroom and a Godlike, if quirky, view from the roof.
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D
Museum
Near Plaza Murillo, this museum - Museo Nacional del Arte is housed in the former Palacio de Los Condes de Arana. This stunning building was constructed in 1775 of pink Viacha granite and has been restored to its original grandeur, in Mestizo (mixed) baroque and Andino baroque styles. In the center of a huge courtyard, surrounded by three stories of pillared corridors, is a lovely alabaster fountain. The various levels are dedicated to different eras, from pre-hispanic works to contemporary art, with an emphasis on religious themes. Highlights include works by former Paceño Marina Nuñez del Prado. There are regular temporary exhibitions on the ground floor.
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E
Museo Nacional de Arqueología
Two blocks east of the Prado, this museum holds a small but well-sorted collection of artifacts that illustrate the most interesting aspects of the Tiwanaku culture’s five stages – those that weren’t stolen or damaged during the colonial days. Some of the ancient stonework disappeared into Spanish construction projects, while valuable pieces found their way into European museums or were melted down for royal treasuries. Unfortunately there are no explanations in English, only Spanish. Also holds excellent temporary exhibitions.
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Textile Museum
Fans of Bolivia’s lovely traditional weaving consider this small textile museum - Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos, a must-see. Examples of the country’s finest traditional textiles (including pieces from the Cordillera Apolobamba, and the Jal’qa and Candelaria regions of the Central Highlands) are grouped by region and described in Spanish. The creative process is explained from fiber to finished product. The gift shop sells museum- quality originals; 90% of the sale price goes to the artists.
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F
Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas
The Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas contains art and photos, as well as some superb ceramic figurine dioramas of old La Paz. One of these is a representation of akulliko, the hour of coca-chewing; another portrays the festivities surrounding the Día de San Juan Bautista (St John the Baptist’s Day) on June 24; another depicts the hanging of Murillo in 1810. Also on display are colonial artifacts and colorful dolls wearing traditional costumes. A pleasant cafe is on the premises.
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Museo de Instrumentos Musicales
The exhaustive, hands-on collection of unique instruments at this museum is a must for musicians. The brainchild of charango master Ernesto Cavour Aramayo, it displays all possible incarnations of the charango (a traditional Bolivian ukulele-type instrument) and other indigenous instruments used in Bolivian folk music and beyond. You can also arrange charango and wind instrument lessons here for around B$50 per hour.
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Museo del Litoral
Sometimes called the Museo de la Guerra del Pacífico, the diminutive Museo del Litoral incorporates relics from the 1884 war in which Bolivia became landlocked after losing its Litoral department to Chile. The collection consists mainly of historical maps that defend Bolivia’s emotionally charged claims to Antofagasta and Chile’s Segunda Región.
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Templete Semisubterráneo (Museo al Aire Libre)
The open-pit Templete Semisubterráneo (Museo al Aire Libre) contains replicas of statues found in Tiahuanaco's Templete Semisubterráneo. The showpiece Megalito Bennetto Pachamama (Bennett monolith) was moved to Tiahuanaco's new site museum to avoid further smog-induced deterioration. This place is only worth seeing if you aren't able to visit the actual site.
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Museo San Francisco
The cloisters and garden of the recently opened Museo San Francisco, adjacent to the basilica, beautifully revive the history and art of the city’s landmark. There are heavenly religious paintings, historical artifacts, an interesting anteroom and a God-like, if quirky, view from the roof.
reviewed
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K
Museo Tambo Quirquincho
The intriguing Museo Tambo Quirquincho, off Evaristo Valle at Plaza Alonzo de Mendoza, is a former tambo (wayside market and inn). There are displays of old-fashioned dresses, silverware, photos, artwork and a collection of Carnaval masks.
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L
Museo de Metales Preciosos
Also known as Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), the Museo de Metales Preciosos houses four impressively presented salons of pre-Colombian silver, gold and copper works and pieces from Tiwanaku.
reviewed