2014/10/17

In the center of La Paz

 La Paz is located on the sides of a very steep and rather narrow valley at the end of the high flat Altiplano of El Alto. At the deepest part there is a city highway running from El Alto to the south-east. The Plaza Mayor with the San Francisco church (started in 1548 as a convent) is located on the right side (when going down) of this main road.



























Next to the Plaza Mayor is the market hall. A large concrete building with a lot of food stalls. No it is not a parking garage. From this market hall a colorful footbridge crosses the busy road into the city center on the other side.



Looking from the bridge to (more or less) the west......


...... and the other way to El Alto.

 


The road leading up to the Plaza Murillo is a walking area.



At the corner of the Plaza Murillo is the National Art Museum. A beautiful old building outside and inside.








The Metropolitan Cathedral built in 1835.









The presidential palace, the Palacio Quemado, is also situated on the Plaza Murillo




From the bridge at the market you have to climb some steep streets to go to Jaén street. As you have to stop a few times to get some air, look back and surprise yourself. The view to El Alto is amazing.



Jaén street is one of the few areas that have been restored. Here you also find many museums. 





On the corner of this arcade is a nice restaurant. Time to sit down and take a rest.