World Heritage Identification Number: 566
World Heritage since: 1991
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Historic Cities & Urban Areas
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇧🇴 Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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The Historic City of Sucre: A Blend of European and Indigenous Architecture
The Historic City of Sucre, located in the heart of Bolivia, serves as a unique testament to the harmonious fusion of indigenous and European architectural styles. Established in the early 16th century, this city holds significant historical and cultural value, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Sucre, the first capital of Bolivia, was founded by the Spanish in the first half of the 16th century. Its many well-preserved 16th-century religious buildings, such as San Lázaro, San Francisco and Santo Domingo, illustrate the blending of local architectural traditions with styles imported from Europe.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (iv): The rich heritage of the Historic Centre of the Spanish city of Sucre (La Plata) is an excellent intact and well-preserved illustration of this architectural blending achieved in Latin America through the assimilation of local traditions and styles imported from Europe.
Encyclopedia Record: Sucre
Sucre, officially La Ilustre y Heroica Sucre is the de jure capital city of Bolivia, the capital of the Chuquisaca Department and the sixth most populous city in Bolivia. Located in the south-central part of the country, Sucre lies at an elevation of 2,790 m (9,150 ft), making it the second-highest capital city in the world after Quito. This relatively high altitude gives the city a subtropical highland climate with cool temperatures year-round. Over the centuries, the city has received various names, including La Plata, Charcas, and Chuquisaca. Today, the region is of predominantly Quechua background, with some Aymara communities and influences.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
Number of Components: 1
Coordinates: -19.04799 , -65.259592
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© Parallelepiped09, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Historic City of Sucre from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Evolving public perceptions and control preferences toward urban pigeons in a UNESCO World Heritage city: Evidence from serial cross-sectional surveys in Sucre, Bolivia (2012–2024)
Public tolerance for urban pigeons in Sucre, Bolivia, has significantly declined over the past 12 years, with support for eradication rising from 20% in 2012 to nearly 50% in 2024. This shift reflects growing concerns about hygiene, infrastructure damage, and disease transmission, particularly among older adults and those perceiving pigeons as a dirt source. The study, based on three cross-sectional surveys (N = 625), also identified persistent preferences for non-lethal control methods, such as reproductive management and habitat modification. These findings highlight the need for an integrated One Health approach that balances heritage preservation, animal welfare, and urban ecosystem health while incorporating public attitudes and education.
Morales, F. M. P., Radon, K., & Solís-Soto, M. T. (2026). Evolving public perceptions and control preferences toward urban pigeons in a UNESCO World Heritage city: Evidence from serial cross-sectional surveys in Sucre, Bolivia (2012–2024). International Journal of One Health, 17. https://doi.org/10.14202/ijoh.2026.17-26
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Hotel Occupancy Management for the Sustainability of the Sucre-San Vicente Destination from the Perspective of a Tourist Circuit
A sustainable tourist circuit model for Sucre and San Vicente cantons has been developed, significantly increasing hotel occupancy rates while boosting national and international tourism. This approach integrates expert insights from tourism research, leveraging the Kendall coefficient method and cause-effect diagrams to analyze hotel capacity and local attractions. The proposed model aligns with current trends in tourism development, offering a practical solution for enhancing the region's tourist destination appeal. By addressing key challenges in occupancy management, this study provides a framework that balances economic growth with sustainable tourism practices.
Quintero, F. Á. L., OyolaFalcones, W. J., Figueroa, W. V., Cusme*, Y. A. Z., Zambrano, G. V. C., Rodríguez, N. R. H., & MontesdeocaCalderón*, M. G. (2023). Hotel Occupancy Management for the Sustainability of the Sucre-San Vicente Destination from the Perspective of a Tourist Circuit. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.7655854
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Emotional Perception and Cultural Motivation on Loyalty to a World Heritage Sites Destination
A study on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sucre, Bolivia, reveals that the perceived value of heritage destinations is significantly influenced by both emotional experiences and cultural motivations. This finding challenges the traditional focus solely on functional or tangible attributes, highlighting the importance of intangible factors in shaping visitor perceptions. The research also demonstrates a strong link between perceived value and tourist loyalty, with the origin of the tourist acting as a moderating variable—particularly influential for domestic visitors. Using structural equation models (SEMs), the study analyzed data from interviews with Sucre visitors, offering new insights into how emotional and cultural dimensions can drive long-term attachment to heritage sites.
PEREZ GALVEZ, J. C., FUENTES JIMENEZ, P. A., RODRIGUEZ GUTIERREZ, P., MEDINA VIRUEL, M. J.,. (2023). EMOTIONAL PERCEPTION AND CULTURAL MOTIVATION ON LOYALTY TO A WORLD HERITAGE SITES DESTINATION. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 49(3), 1165–1175. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.49331-1115
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Cultural Interest and Emotional Perception of Tourists in WHS
A deeper emotional connection and cultural interest among tourists visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Sucre's historic city, significantly enhances their satisfaction with the experience. Research identifies four distinct tourist profiles—alternative, cultural, emotional, and heritage—based on their engagement with artistic and monumental heritage. The study underscores the importance of fostering knowledge about these sites to amplify positive perceptions, suggesting that targeted educational initiatives could further enrich visitor experiences.
Pérez Gálvez, J. C., Fuentes Jiménez, P. A., Medina-Viruel, M. J., & González Santa Cruz, F. (2020). Cultural Interest and Emotional Perception of Tourists in WHS. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, 22(3), 345–366. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008x.2020.1780538
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Introduction: The “Cultural Democratic Revolution” of Evo Morales
In 2006, Bolivia's Constituent Assembly marked a pivotal moment in the country's political history by redefining its constitutional framework to reflect indigenous representation and decolonization. The assembly, convened under President Evo Morales, represented a significant shift from centuries of white-mestizo dominance, with 225 delegates—many indigenous—participating in a historic event that symbolized the 'cultural democratic revolution.' The resulting 2009 constitution declared Bolivia a plurinational state, granting indigenous peoples rights to autonomy, self-government, and cultural recognition. This study captures the significance of this transition, highlighting how indigenous voices reshaped national identity and governance through constitutional reform.
(Ed.). (2020). Introduction: The “Cultural Democratic Revolution” of Evo Morales. The Indigenous State, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780520967304-003
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Selling EthniCity: Urban Cultural Politics in the Americas (review)
A collection of essays examines the role of ethnicity and cultural elements in urban planning and city promotion, revealing how cultural, political, and economic elites construct unique city images. The study highlights the use of heritage programs, festivals, and tourism to shape perceptions of places like New Orleans, Chicago, Oaxaca, and Sucre, Bolivia. It also explores the commodification of ethnic identities in cities such as Quito, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, Mérida, and Vancouver, demonstrating how these processes influence urban landscapes and public spaces.
(Ed.). (2011). Selling EthniCity: Urban Cultural Politics in the Americas (review). Journal of Latin American Geography, 10(2), 242–243. https://doi.org/10.1353/lag.2011.0030
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