Museo de Santa Clara

Sucre


Located in the Santa Clara Convent, this museum of religious art, founded in 1639, contains several works by Bolivian master Melchor Pérez de Holguín and his Italian instructor, Bernardo de Bitti. In 1985 it was robbed, and several paintings and gold ornaments were taken. One of the canvases, however, was apparently deemed too large to carry away, so the thieves sliced a big chunk out of the middle and left the rest hanging.

The painting has since been restored, but you can still see evidence of the damage. Guides may also demonstrate the still-functional pipe organ, which was made in 1664.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sucre attractions

1. Iglesia de Santo Domingo

0.09 MILES

This 16th-century church with an imposing whitewashed facade was built by the Dominican order.

2. Convento de Santa Teresa

0.11 MILES

The brilliant-white Convento de Santa Teresa belongs to an order of cloistered nuns. They sell homemade candied oranges, apples, figs and limes daily by…

3. Iglesia de San Lázaro

0.15 MILES

Built in 1544, this church is one of the city's oldest, and has an altarpiece designed by the important sculptor Juán Hernández.

4. Museos Universitarios

0.18 MILES

Housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century building with a picture-perfect colonial courtyard, the Museos Universitarios consist of three separate…

6. Museo Gutiérrez Valenzuela

0.2 MILES

Run by the university, this museum is an old aristocrat’s house stocked with a hodgepodge collection of gaudy 19th-century decor. Think gilded gold…

7. Museo Eclesiástico de Sucre

0.23 MILES

Next door to Sucre's cathedral, this museum holds one of Bolivia’s best collections of religious relics. There are four sections, ritually unlocked as…

8. Museo del Tesoro

0.23 MILES

Wondering why millions labored for centuries under terrible conditions, and still do, including in mines around nearby Potosí? Check out the highly…