Week 6 - Calle Jaen

The ancient colonial street of Calle Jaen is home to four of La Paz´s most interesting museums; Costumbrista, Litoral, Metales Preciosos and Casa de Murillo. Each museum hosted an array of Bolivian cultural objects from the traditional dress of the famous Cholitas to gold clothing accessories. 

The first museum the CEINDES staff, beneficiaries, and volunteers visited was the Museo de Costumbrista Juan Vargas; the 32 year old museum conveyed the essence of Bolivian customs through costumes and models. The group were explained the origins of Cholita dress, and later viewed models that encapsulated important moments in the country’s transition from colonialistation to emancipation; including the torturous death of Tupac Katari.

This was shortly followed by the Museo del Litoral Boliviano which was created to commerate the Pacific War of 1879 and Bolivia’s maritime past. Also the museum helps commerate the heroes who lost their lives, although the museum was small it included an array of photographs, uniforms, weapons and flags. The museum highlighted the ancient antagonisms between Bolivia and its neighbours within some of the group members.

Next was the Museo de Metales Preciosos Precolombinos, which displayed the beautiful treasure of SanSebastian. Discovered in Cochabamba, the museum displayed a variety of crowns, brazalñetes, crowns and faces associated with the Tiwanaku culture. The metals were very attractive and a lot of the group members were surprised at their ancient beauty.

Lastly we visited the Casa de Murillo which has been declared a National Monument and belonged to martyrPedro Domingo Murillo, the greatest hero of the struggle for Bolivian independence in 1809. The museum had various rooms; the gallery (with paintings of the San Luis Potosi), an oratorio (with colonial altarpieces), the room were the idea of independence was originally conceived and created the aforementioned protective sealwhich displays a copy of the proclamation. The museum has great historical importance, and the well in the centre of the house provided much fun for the group with a coin throwing competition!

Although the group had a brilliant day it was sad that this would be the volunteers last museum visit, with this though we hope that the CEINDES beneficiaries have been encouraged to engage further with Bolivian history. All the volunteers have had an amazing time in every museum and have learnt alot about Bolivian culture, thanks!