Andrés Ibáñez: Churches, History and Nature

In Andrés Ibáñez, historic churches, cultural sites, and nature attractions showcase different facets of the destination. In La Guardia, the history of the War of Independence is linked to the local main church; in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Catedral Metropolitana and El Aljibe offer further cultural highlights. The Jardín Botánico in Guapilo and the municipal zoo add other points of interest.

La Guardia and Santa Cruz de la Sierra: History and Architecture

During the War of Independence, La Guardia played an important role: the town protected Santa Cruz de la Sierra from the passage of royalist troops from the west. The Parroquia Purísima Concepción de La Guardia is the municipality’s main church. For the local community, it is a symbol of faith and tradition.

Another historical highlight is in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The Basílica Menor de San Lorenzo Mártir, also known as the Catedral Metropolitana de Santa Cruz de la Sierra, is the city’s most important Catholic church and Bolivia’s second-largest temple. It replaced the former wooden church.

Construction began in 1839 to a design by the French architect Felipe Bertrés. In 1904, Monseñor Santistevan commissioned the French architect León Mousnier to complete it. Mousnier finished construction in 1915; in August of that year, the church was consecrated as the new cathedral. Its architecture combines different styles: Neoclassical towers with Baroque touches stand before three naves, and its façade is described as the second-largest in the Americas.

The interior also has some special details: the main altar features repoussé silver coverings from the Jesuit missions of the 18th century. Remarkable wooden vaults define the classically designed interior and are described as the largest on the continent.

On December 7, 2017, Law No. 696 declared El Aljibe a historic tangible cultural heritage site, as well as part of the urban and architectural heritage of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. In the El Aljibe restaurant, the rooms of the house are furnished with numerous everyday objects in the style of a costumbrista museum; the original well is in the courtyard.

Ecoregions and Plant Life in Guapilo

The Jardín Botánico in Guapilo has seven kilometers of developed and marked ecological trails. They pass through three representative ecoregions of the Department of Santa Cruz: the Chiquitano Dry Forest, the subtropical forest, and the Chaco forest. A lagoon of about 1.5 hectares is home to nine fish species and some lizards; species populations may change over time.

A tropical greenhouse contains orchids, native plants, and a small river inside. The Palmatarium recreates a palm forest with species from the Department of Santa Cruz and other regions of Bolivia. The grounds also include a cactus collection, a herbarium, a laboratory, and a nursery. Other facilities include a lookout point, a children’s playground, a colonial courtyard, and several barbecue areas.

Nature tours focusing on environmental protection and conservation are offered in a university context upon formal request.

Wildlife and Education

The Zoológico Municipal de Santa Cruz de la Sierra aims to inform visitors about wildlife protection and raise awareness of conservation through its presentation of wild animals and specialized tours. The facility includes an aviary with more than 100 bird species, an aquarium with more than 60 fish species, a serpentarium, a jaguar enclosure, and a monkey island.

The zoo covers around 66,000 square meters. It is home to about 2,000 animals from 250 species; population figures may change over time.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Santa Cruz De La Sierra, Jorochito, Florida Province, Ángel Sandoval, Vallegrande, Chiquitos Province, Guarayos, Ñuflo De Chávez.

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