Step into a baroque palace where colonial masters like Melchor Pérez de Holguín reveal the artistic soul of Bolivia's past, right on La Paz's main square.

Welcome to the National Art Museum, housed in the elegant Palacio Díez de Medina since 1964. Located directly across from Plaza Murillo in the heart of La Paz, this three-story colonial mansion offers visitors a journey through centuries of Bolivian artistic expression.

With its carved stone facade and baroque architecture, the building itself is as much a work of art as the treasures it holds within its two historic courtyards.

From Noble Residence to National Treasure

The palace began life as the residence of Mayor Don Díez de Medina before passing through the hands of the Counts of Arana and later the Marquises of Villaverde. By the late 19th century, the building had transformed into the fashionable Gisbert Hotel, welcoming travelers from across the region.

In 1964, Bolivia adapted this historic structure to house its National Museum of Art, carefully preserving the building's three levels and two inner courtyards while converting the grand rooms into galleries. The main entrance on Socabaya Street still showcases the original carved stone facade with baroque motifs spanning all three floors.

Masters of Colonial and Contemporary Art

The museum's strength lies in its colonial painting collection, featuring works by 16th-century master Melchor Pérez de Holguín and 17th-century Peruvian painter Gregorio Gamarra. Notable pieces include the Virgin of Fuencisla from 1723, the Virgin of the Hill from 1720, and Gamarra's touching Child Jesus with Symbols of the Passion.

Visitors will also find Gaspar Miguel de Berrío's Coronation of the Virgin and anonymous works like the 1680 Virgin of Pomata. Beyond colonial art, the museum displays Bolivian, Latin American, and international contemporary works, creating a dialogue between past and present.

Architecture Meets Art

The building's baroque facade immediately captures attention with its intricately carved stone decorations rising across three levels. At the corner where Socabaya meets Comercio, a striking stone column and balcony serve as architectural anchors.

The museum's location at the intersection of pedestrian-friendly Calle Comercio and Socabaya Street places it at the cultural crossroads of La Paz. The preservation of the original two courtyards allows visitors to experience the spatial flow of colonial-era aristocratic life while viewing art from multiple centuries in rooms that once hosted La Paz's elite families.

National Art Museum Highlights & Tips

• Melchor Pérez de Holguín Collection View works by this 16th-century master whose paintings define the colonial art period in Bolivia and the Andean region.
• Virgin of Pomata (1680) This anonymous masterpiece represents the height of colonial religious art with its rich symbolism and technical skill.
• Baroque Stone Facade The carved stone entrance with its three-story baroque motifs is a stunning example of colonial architectural craftsmanship.
• 18th Century Religious Works The collection of Virgin paintings from the 1720s, including the Virgin of the Hill and Virgin of Fuencisla, showcases regional devotional art.
• Prime Location The museum sits directly across from Plaza Murillo, making it easy to combine with other historic sites in the city center.
• Pedestrian Access Located at the intersection of the pedestrian walkway Calle Comercio and Socabaya Street for easy walking access.
• Two Courtyards to Explore Take time to appreciate the building's two preserved colonial courtyards, which provide architectural context for the artwork.

The National Art Museum offers more than a collection of paintings. It provides a window into Bolivia's artistic heritage from the colonial period through today, all within a palace that has witnessed La Paz's transformation over centuries.

When you stand before Holguín's canvases in rooms where counts and marquises once lived, you experience the layered history of this Andean capital. For anyone seeking to understand Bolivia's cultural identity, this museum at Plaza Murillo is an essential stop.