Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz

The metropolitan cathedral of La Paz overlooks Plaza Murillo, its massive neoclassical bulk begun in 1835 and taking well over a century to complete. Built into the sloping terrain, the church rises on stone foundations of remarkable depth, and its high altar incorporates onyx, marble, gold and silver. The vast interior can hold thousands of worshippers beneath a series of domes. It has hosted papal visits and state occasions. Adjacent to the government palace and legislature, it anchors the ceremonial heart of the Bolivian capital.