Bolivia
Sucre
Sucre (population 247,300 in 2006) is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, seat of the Supreme Court (Corte Suprema de Justicia), and capital of the Chuquisaca department. Located in the south-central part of the country, Sucre lies at an altitude of 2,800m (9,200ft). Historically Sucre has also been known as Charcas, La Plata and Chuquisaca, resulting in the nickname of "the City of Four Names" or "la Ciudad de Cuatro Nombres." As most of the colonial buildings in Sucre centre are whitewashed, Sucre also enjoys the nickname of "the white city" or "la ciudad blanca."
History
On November 30, 1538 Sucre was founded under the name Ciudad de la Plata de la Nueva Toledo by Pedro de Anzures, Marqués de Campo Redondo. In 1559 the Spanish King Philip II established the Audiencia de Charcas in La Plata with authority over an area which covers what is now Paraguay, southeastern Peru, Northern Chile and Argentina, and much of Bolivia. The Audiencia de Charcas was a subdivision of the Viceroyalty of Peru. In 1601 the Recoleta Monastery was founded by the Franciscans and in 1609, an archbishopric was founded in Sucre. In 1624, St Francis Xavier University was founded.
Very much a Spanish city during the colonial era, the narrow streets of Sucre centre are organised in a grid, reflecting the Andalusian culture that is embodied in the architecture of Sucre's great houses and numerous convents and churches. Sucre remains the seat of the Catholic church in Bolivia, and a common sight is members of religious orders dressed in traditional costume.
Until the 18th century, La Plata was the judicial, religious and cultural centre of the region. In 1839, after Sucre became the capital of Bolivia, it was renamed in honour of the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre. Too remote after the economic decline of Potosí, it saw the Bolivian seat of government move to La Paz in 1898. In 1991, Sucre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourism
Sucre attracts thousands of tourists every year thanks to its well-conserved downtown with buildings from the 18th and 19th century. Nestled at the foot of the twin hills of Churuquella and Sika Sika, Sucre is the gateway to numerous small villages that date from the colonial era, the most well-known of which is Tarabuco, home of the colourful "Pujllay" festival held each March. In these outlying villages, one is as likely to find a descendant of the Spanish conquest as members of an indigenous group that still dress in their unique native clothing they use not only to preserve their cultural identity but also to let others instantly know what town or region they are from.
Spanish Immersion Schools in Sucre
There are at least 4 Spanish Immersion Schools in Sucre. A partial list of the Spanish Immersion Schools follows:
- Academia Latinoamericana - Sucre
- Instituto Cultural Boliviano-Alemán
- Ñ - Escuela de Español
- Bolivian Spanish School
Getting Started
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