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Cathedral
On the arcaded Plaza 14 de Septiembre, the Cathedral is the valley's oldest religious structure, begun in 1571. Later additions and renovations have removed some character, but it preserves a fine eastern portal. Inside it's light and airy, with various mediocre ceiling paintings. There are statues of several saints, a gilded altarpiece, and a grotto for the ever-popular Inmaculada (Virgin of the Immaculate Conception).
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Centro Cultural Simón Patiño
The Centro Cultural Simón Patiño in the barrio (neighborhood) of Queru Queru, provides evidence of the extravagance of tin baron Simón Patiño. Construction of this opulent French-style mansion began in 1915 and was finalized in 1927. The fireplaces were constructed of flawless Carrara marble, the furniture and woodwork were carved in French wood and the walls were covered with silk brocade - one intricate 'painting' is actually a woven silk tapestry.
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Cochabamba Cathedral
This cathedral is the valley's oldest religious structure, begun in 1571. Later additions and renovations have removed some character, but it preserves a fine eastern portal. Inside it is light and airy, with various ceiling paintings. There are statues of several saints, a gilded altarpiece and a grotto for the Inmaculada (Virgin of the Immaculate Conception).
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Convento de Santa Teresa
The most interesting building in town is the noble, timeworn Convento de Santa Teresa. The city has hopes that the convent will be converted into a museum. At time of research, guided tours of the beautiful complex were being taken by students from the restoration school here. You see the peaceful cloister, fine altarpieces and sculptures (from Spanish and Potosí schools), the convent church, and even get to ascend to the roof.
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Cristo de la Concordia
This immense statue stands atop Cerro de San Pedro behind Cochabamba. It's a few centimeters higher than the famous Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro, which stands 33m high, or one meter for each year of Christ's life. Cochabambinos justify the one-upmanship by claiming that Christ actually lived 33 años y un poquito (33 years and a bit).
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Iglesia & Convento de San Francisco
Constructed in 1581, the Iglesia & Convento de San Francisco is Cochabamba's second-oldest church. Major revisions and renovation occurred in 1782 and 1925, however, and little of the original structure remains. The attached convent and cloister were added in the 1600s. The cloister was constructed of wood rather than the stone that was customary at the time. The pulpit displays fine examples of mestizo design, and there's a fine gold retable.
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Iglesia de la Recoleta
North of Río Rocha, the Baroque Iglesia de la Recoleta was started in 1654. It contains the attractive wooden Cristo de la Recoleta.
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Iglesia de Santo Domingo
The Rococo Iglesia de Santo Domingo was founded in 1612 but construction didn't begin until 1778. The intriguing main façade is made of brick, with anthropomorphic columns. The interior, with a much-revered Trinity, is less interesting.
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Mercado Cancha Calatayud
Cochabamba is Bolivia's biggest market town. The main market is the enormous La Cancha, which is one of the most crowded, chaotic, claustrophobic and exhilarating spots in the country. Around the markets you'll find just about everything imaginable, but keep an eye out for pickpockets.
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Museo Arqueológico
The Museo Arqueológico has an excellent overview of various of Bolivia's indigenous cultures. There's an intriguing range of artifacts: funerary urns with characteristic bat and snake motifs, impressive fossils, painted ceramics, and spooky mummies and trepanned skulls. Look out for the Tiwanaku section; their shamans used to snort lines of hallucinogenic powder through elegant bone tubes.
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