The Plaza Murillo is the central plaza of the city of La Paz and the open space most connected to the political life of Bolivia. Prominent buildings on the plaza include the Presidential Palace, National Congress of Bolivia , and the Cathedral of La Paz (or more formally, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz ). It is located in the old town, or Casco Viejo , of the city and is surrounded by Socabaya Street to the west, Ayacucho Street to the east, Comercio Street to the south, and a continuation of Ingavi and Ballivan Streets to the north.
17-655: The Plaza was originally named the Plaza Mayor ( Greatest/Main Plaza ) after its construction. It was later known during the colonial period as the Plaza de Armas . Following independence, it was renamed the 16 July Plaza ( Plaza 16 de Julio ) on 3 February 1902, in honor of Pedro Murillo , captured and hung by Spanish troops in January 1810. The plaza was designed in 1558 as part of the rectilinear grid of La Paz by Juan Gutiérrez Paniagua, who
34-693: A few days later, Murillo demanded nothing less than the secession of upper Peru from the Spanish Empire. He is said to have claimed the revolution was 'igniting a lamp that nobody would be able to extinguish'. This touches on an unresolved point (see historiography at Chuquisaca Revolution ). By some in Bolivia (but not in Ecuador ) the moment is claimed as the spark that lit the Liberation of South America from Spain ( Primer grito libertario ). To suppress what had become
51-674: A junta on 25 May 1809. With the King impeded from reigning, logic suggested the Indies should govern themselves. A self-determination movement kicked off with the incessant ringing of the bell of the St Francis Xavier Basilica in Chuquisaca (nowadays Sucre ). Meanwhile, Murillo was plotting back in La Paz , leading outright rebellion 16 July. At a self-appointed Junta Tuitiva ("protecting junta") there
68-501: A serious insurrection, royalist troops were despatched, some from the Viceroyalty of Peru and others from Buenos Aires . Though some regiments comprising natives refused to intervene against an avowedly patriotic movement, the uprising was repressed. Murillo had to flee, but was captured. He was hanged, along with others, on 29 January 1810, where he made the following statement: Compatriots, I die, but tyrants won't be able to extinguish
85-588: The Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II . In helping to vanquish this Murillo distinguished himself, and was appointed Lieutenant of the Militia. Within 5 years, Juan Ciriaco Murillo had died, leaving most of his fortune to Pedro's children. His paternal aunt, Catalina Felipe, filed a lawsuit disputing this. At first, this was defeated. However, in papers submitted to court, Murillo falsely claimed a degree in law. This deception had been achieved with some cunning. First, Pedro abused
102-597: The St Francis Xavier University of Chuquisaca , Pedro then studied law, but left before completing. By age 21, he had married Olmedo Manuel de la Concha in Potosí , the high-altitude silver mining city at the foot of Cerro de Potosí . Within 3 years the family, with at least two children, had moved to Irupana . From the earliest colonial days, the control of upper Peru by the Spanish crown had been firm. Late 1780 saw
119-667: The University of Charcas . Founded in 1624 by order of the Spanish King Philip IV , and with the support of Pope Innocent XII , the university was intended to provide an education in Law and Theology to the families and descendants of the wealthy gentry of South America. At the turn of the 19th century, Chuquisaca and its university came to constitute a center of revolutionary zeal in Bolivia. The university intellectually sustained
136-515: The "Parade of Torches." St Francis Xavier University of Chuquisaca The Royal and Pontifical Higher University of San Francisco Xavier of Chuquisaca ( USFX ; Spanish : Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca ) is a public university in Sucre , Bolivia. It is one of the oldest universities in the New World . In many historical texts, it is also referred to as
153-521: The case against his aunt, the truth surfaced. Murillo not only lost the case, but his falsely attested profession had also been in contempt of court. He had to flee the authorities. Pardoned by early 1789, he tried his hand in mining. Concern arose throughout Spanish South America when French forces back in Spain, led by Bonaparte, forced the fall of Ferdinand VII; what seemed the usurping of the Spanish crown by Napoleon's brother Joseph. Memories also smoldered of
170-492: The examination, and had obtained his law degree. A year later in La Paz , Murillo was denounced as having forged his licence to practice law. Challenged by Judge Sebastian Segurola, a friend, to present the original certificate, Murillo simply disappeared. A search at his home revealed documents falsified in Murillo's handwriting. Forged by him had been the signatures of as many as four notaries, as they each subsequently attested. In
187-644: The goodwill of a rector at St Francis Xavier University of Chuquisaca . The date set to take the examination is known only to the Attorney General of the colonial government, Real Audiencia . Murillo claimed his submission had been via the Notary Sebastian del Toro, who worked regularly for members of the Real Audiencia . The certificate had been submitted days ago, the day "forgotten." Though with no certificate, Murillo asserted he had performed brilliantly in
SECTION 10
#1732848537503204-959: The plaza include the Cabildo (or city government building, including a jail), a building of the Society of Jesus , the Cathedral, the Royal Treasury ( Cajas Reales ), and the Bishop's Residence ( Casa Obispal ). The plaza has been a key site for battles for political power in Bolivia. It was fought over or defended in numerous revolutionary conflicts, including in 1809, 1811, 1814, 1862, 1865, 1871, 1898, 1946, 1952, and 2002. Independence era leaders Pedro Domingo Murillo, Juan Antonio Figueroa, Basilio Catacora, Buenaventura Bueno, Melchor Jiménez, Mariano Graneros, Apolinar Jaén, Gregorio García Lanza, Juan Bautista Sagárnaga, Juan Cordero and Simona Manzaneda were all killed on or near
221-433: The plaza. In the 1946 uprising against Gualberto Villarroel , he was hung from a lamppost in the plaza. 16°29′45″S 68°8′1″W / 16.49583°S 68.13361°W / -16.49583; -68.13361 Pedro Murillo Pedro Domingo Murillo (17 September 1757 – 29 January 1810) was a patriot of Upper Peru who played a key role in Bolivia's independence . On 17 September 1757, Pedro Domingo Murillo
238-485: The torch I ignited. Long live freedom! Every 16 July in La Paz , the local populace honours what are regarded as patriotic deeds of 1809. A regional celebration begins when the various national and local authorities collaborate to light the Torch of Liberty at what is dubbed the house of the martyr. There follows a parade through central La Paz. Their own torches symbolising the one Murillo claimed to have ignited, citizens form
255-517: The violent suppression 30 years earlier of grievances from indigenous communities in upper Peru. In 1805, Murillo was part of a group conspiring against the Spanish government, but was discovered and brought to trial. Upper Peru regional government in Chuquisaca, the Real Audiencia of Charcas, became uneasy about the loyalties of the local governor. Supported by the faculty of the St Francis Xavier University of Chuquisaca , they deposed him and formed
272-550: Was appointed by Corregidor Ignacio de Aranda, to order the city on the north bank of the Choqueyapu River. This region of the city was opposite the existing Spanish settlement, which had numbered about 200 Spaniards with some 5,000 tributary indigenous residents. The Plaza Mayor quickly supplanted the previous central square of the Spaniards, which is now called Plaza Alonso de Mendoza. Colonial buildings that were built surrounding
289-513: Was born in the city of La Paz. His father, Juan Ciriaco Murillo, was from one of its elite families, whereas his mother Mary Ascencia Carasco was of native pedigree. Juan Ciriaco had been training for priesthood in the catholic church, becoming a priest soon after Pedro's birth. Juan took charge of his education. It is thought Pedro may have attended the Colegio Seminario de San Carlos, in La Paz. At
#502497