Andrés de Santa Cruz Mausoleum, La Paz

The Andrés de Santa Cruz Mausoleum in La Paz, is a significant historical and architectural site. Andrés de Santa Cruz was a notable figure in Bolivian history, having served as the head of Bolivia from 1829 to 1839. Born to a mixed Spanish-Indian family, he initially served in the armed forces of the Spanish crown before joining the defense force of San Martin in 1820. He achieved the rank of marshal in 1823 after a battle at Zepita. Following his political career in Bolivia, Santa Cruz spent his later years in France, where he passed away in 1865. A century later, in 1965, the Bolivian authorities repatriated his remains to Bolivia, placing them in the mausoleum that bears his name .

The mausoleum is located at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in La Paz, situated in Murillo Square. This cathedral, a significant architectural landmark in itself, was built in 1835 with a blend of Neoclassical architecture and Baroque elements. The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, also known as La Paz Cathedral, features an interior consisting of five naves with various layers. The current structure of the cathedral was initiated in 1835 and inaugurated in 1925, marking the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Bolivia. Its interior ornamentation continued until 1932 .

The mausoleum, therefore, not only serves as the final resting place of a prominent historical figure but is also housed within an architectural gem that reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of Bolivia.