Sucre

Sucre is the official capital city of Bolivia, located in the south-central part of the country. It is also the capital of the Chuquisaca Department and the sixth most populous city in Bolivia. Sucre sits at a very high altitude of 2,790 meters (9,150 feet), making it the second-highest capital city in the world after Quito. This high altitude gives the city cool temperatures throughout the year.

The city is very important for Bolivia. It is home to the Bolivian Supreme Court and is a center for education and government. Sucre is famous for its well-preserved historic center, which looks similar to other old cities like Cuzco and Quito. Because of its beautiful architecture and long history, Sucre was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has a pleasant climate and is popular with both locals and visitors.

History

Before the Spanish came, Sucre was an Inca town called Chuquisaca. The name might mean “a pile of silver” in the old Inca language.

In 1538, the Spanish founded the city and called it “City of Silver of New Toledo.” It became an important place for the Spanish, with narrow streets and many churches.

On May 25, 1809, a bell in the Basilica of Saint Francisco was rung to start Bolivia’s fight for independence from Spain. In 1826, Sucre became the temporary capital of Bolivia, and in 1839 it was named the official capital in honor of a leader named Antonio José de Sucre. Later, the capital was moved to La Paz, but Sucre is still very important.

Sucre has a very old university and many historic buildings.

Government

Sucre is one of two important government centers in Bolivia, along with La Paz. It is where the Supreme Court of Justice is located and is the official capital of the country, as stated in the Constitution of Bolivia. La Paz, however, is where the main government offices are.

Sucre is also the capital city of the Chuquisaca department. The city’s government is split into two parts: an executive branch led by the Mayor and a legislative branch called the Municipal Council. The Mayor is chosen by voters for a five-year term. The Municipal Council has eleven members who elect their own leaders.

Geography and territorial organization

Sucre is found in a beautiful valley area in Bolivia, at a height of about 2,798 meters above sea level. It is located in the inter-Andean valleys between the high Andean plateau and the flat Gran Chaco plains. This place is where the La Plata River and the Amazon River meet.

The city sits in Oropeza Province near two old, quiet hills, and it has eight different parts, some in the city and some in the countryside.

Climate

Sucre has a nice climate with gentle temperatures all year. Rain usually comes in summer storms. The warmest it has ever gotten was 34.7 °C, and the coldest was −6 °C.

The City of Four Names

The city of Sucre is known by four different names, each reflecting an important time in its history.

• Charcas was the original indigenous name of the place where the city was built.
• La Plata was the name given during the time when Spanish settlers were building the city.
• Chuquisaca became the city's name during the time of independence.
• Sucre honors Antonio José de Sucre, a hero of the Battle of Ayacucho on December 9, 1824, Antonio José de Sucre.
• "La Ciudad Blanca" means "The White City" and is a nickname for Sucre because many of its old buildings are painted white.

Culture

Dances

The cueca

Sucre helped spread this beautiful dance. There are two types: a lively popular style and a slower salon cueca, similar to a dance from Argentina.

The bailecito

This dance started in Sucre's bars and became popular with student groups. It is now enjoyed in other parts of Bolivia, like Cochabamba.

The thanta morenos

This special dance includes many characters like devils, young women, lions, older people, little monkeys, a rooster, and couples. The couples lead with rattles while others dance around them. When the music stops, the characters act out fun scenes to entertain everyone. You can watch this dance during festivals in Sucre and nearby areas like Yamparáez, Tomina, and part of Belisario Boeto.

Cuisine

Sucre has many tasty traditional foods, and some change with the seasons. Popular dishes include chorizos chuquisaqueños, c'kocko de pollo, picante de pollo, mondongo chuquisaqueño, and cazuela de maní. A common drink is chicha criolla.

The city is also well-known for its chocolate and bonbon makers, which many visitors enjoy.

Sports

Sucre is a city where people enjoy many different sports. Football is very popular, and the city has teams like Universitario de Sucre and Independiente Petrolero that play in important leagues. Other teams such as Francesa and Stormers Sporting Club also have a strong history in the sport.

Besides football, Sucre has many other sports such as tennis, swimming, racquetball, volleyball, martial arts, boxing, futsal, motorsports, and cycling. The city has big sports facilities like the Estadio Olímpico Patria and the Polideportivo Coliseum. It is also famous for motorsports and has hosted events like the Bolivarian Games.

Economy

Sucre's economy includes making chocolate, cement, and hats from sheep wool and rabbit fur. They also produce beer, natural foods, soft drinks, dairy products, and sausages. Tourism is important, and the Mercado Campesino is the largest marketplace in Sucre.

Education

Sucre is home to one of the oldest public universities in the Americas, the Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, often called USFX. Students from many places study there, and the university has many different subjects, including law, political science, medicine, and business.

The city also has other schools, like a campus of the private university Universidad Privada del Valle, known as Univalle, as well as other schools for teachers and universities with different programs.

Architecture

The city of Sucre has many old and beautiful buildings.

The House of Freedom

Built in 1621, this building is very important in Bolivia’s history. A famous leader named Simón Bolívar wrote the country’s rules here.

National Library

Created the same year the country started, this library is the oldest and most important place for books and history in Bolivia. It holds documents from the 1500s.

Metropolitan Cathedral

Main article: Cathedral of Sucre

Built between 1559 and 1712, the cathedral has a special museum with many old paintings and beautiful jewelry made of gold, silver, and shiny stones.

Archbishop's Palace

Built in 1609, this palace was an important place for religion and history during old times.

Departmental Autonomous Government of Chuquisaca

Finished in 1896, this building shows beautiful styles from the time it was built. It was once the main government building before the capital moved to another city.

Supreme Court of Justice

On July 16, 1827, the highest court in the country was created. Many important leaders helped shape its history. The current building, designed in a grand style, opened on May 25, 1945.

General Cemetery

Some parts of this cemetery date back to the late 1800s. It has fancy mausoleums, tombs, and gardens with tall, old trees. Many important people from Bolivia and Latin America are buried here.

Churches and Convents

• San Felipe Nery
• San Francisco
• La Recoleta
• Santa Teresa
• Santa Clara
• Santo Domingo
• San Lazaro (The oldest church in the country and former Cathedral of Sucre)
• San Sebastian
• Iglesia de la Merced
• San Agustín
• Santa Mónica
• Santa Barbara
• San Miguel

Chapels

• Loreto's Chapel
• Virgen de Guadalupe

Transportation

Near Sucre, about 30 kilometers to the southeast, is Alcantarí International Airport. This airport has flights to cities like Santa Cruz de la Sierra, La Paz, and Cochabamba, along with other connections. It is Sucre's third airport, replacing older ones like the Lajastambo airfield and the former Juana Azurduy de Padilla Airport.

The city's bus terminal, opened in 1975, is on Ostria Gutiérrez Avenue and provides trips across the country and within the region. By road, Sucre links to Potosí through Route 5, which also goes southwest to Uyuni and north to Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.

Twin towns – sister cities

Sucre has several twin towns and sister cities. These include:

• La Plata in Argentina
• San Miguel de Tucumán in Argentina
• Ushuaia in Argentina
• Concepción in Chile

Note