Plaza 24 de Septiembre

About this place

Plaza 24 de Septiembre is the main square of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the largest city in Bolivia. The cathedral, government house, town hall, cafes and shops surround it, shaded by palms and other trees. It is the heart of the city and the natural place to begin a visit. It was among the first things laid out in the city. Once called the Plaza de Armas, it became the Plaza de la Concordia after the clashes of the 1898 revolution. Its present name honours the independence uprising of 24 September 1810. At the centre stands the statue of Colonel Ignacio Warnes, an independence leader. It was pedestrianised in 2004, making it an easy place to sit and walk. The Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo, with its red brick and two towers, is the finest building on the square, seen through the trees. On another side is a long white building with blue columns and arcades. In season the trees flower pink, so that the plaza looks like a colourful garden from above. People sit and talk on the benches, and shady arcades run around it. The plaza is at the centre of the city, with streets that are easy to walk, and an hour is enough. It is hot and humid, so morning and late afternoon are best. The cathedral is a place of worship, so dress modestly. Watch for pickpockets in crowds, and avoid gatherings and protests, as British advice mentions a state of emergency, so check your government's advice.