Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(National Art Museum;
www.mna.org.bo
; cnr Comercio & Socabay, Casco Viejo; admis-
sion B$15; 9:30am-12:30pm & 3-7pm Tue-Fri, 10am-5:30pm Sat, 10am-1:30pm Sun)
Near Plaza Murillo, this museum is housed in the former Palacio de Los Condes de Arana.
This stunning building was constructed in 1775 of pink Viacha granite and has been re-
stored to its original grandeur, in mestizo (mixed) baroque and Andino baroque styles. In
the center of a huge courtyard, surrounded by three stories of pillared corridors, is a lovely
alabaster fountain. The various levels are dedicated to different eras, from pre-Hispanic
works to contemporary art, with an emphasis on religious themes. Highlights include
works by former
paceño
Marina Nuñez del Prado. There are regular temporary exhibi-
tions on the ground floor.
MUSEUM
Museo de Etnografía y Folklore
(Ethnography & Folklore Museum;
www.musef.org.bo
;
cnr Ingavi & Sanjinés, Casco
Viejo; 9am-12:30pm & 3-7pm Mon-Sat, 9am-12:30pm Sun)
Anthropology buffs
should check out this free museum. The building, itself a real treasure, was constructed
between 1776 and 1790, and was once the home of the Marqués de Villaverde. The high-
light is the Tres Milenios de Tejidos exhibition of stunning weavings from around the
country - ask a guide for a look inside the drawers beneath the wall hangings. It also has a
fine collection of Chipaya artifacts from western Oruro department, a group whose lan-
guage, rites and customs have led some experts to suggest that they are descendants of the
vanished Tiwanaku culture, and the Tarabucos, from near Sucre.
MUSEUM
Calle Jaén Museums
(Calle Jaén, Casco Viejo; combination admission B$4; 9am-12:30pm & 2:30-7pm
Tue-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat & Sun)
These four small, interesting museums are clustered togeth-
er along Calle Jaén, La Paz' finest colonial street, and can generally be bundled into one
visit. Buy tickets at the Museo Costumbrista.
Also known as Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), the
Museo de Metales Preciosos
Offline map
Google map
(Museum of Precious Metals;
Click here
;
Jaén 777)
houses four
impressively presented salons of pre-Columbian silver, gold and copper works and pieces
from Tiwanaku.
Sometimes called the Museo de la Guerra del Pacífico, the diminutive
Museo del Lit-
