• Bolivia's rich, long history is marked by Pre-Columbian civilizations, the religious and cultural influences of Spanish conquistadors and by the country's struggle for independence and political stability. Bolivian monuments reflect the South American country's rich history and ethnic diversity.
  
  

Tiwanacu

• Although the Incas are widely regarded as the first significant empire to establish residency in what is now Bolivia, remnants of another older civilization can be found at Tiwanacu near Lake Titicaca. The ruins of Tiwanacu have continually perplexed archaeologists and scholars due to the complexity of their construction. The ruins were first discovered in 1549 by Pedro Cieza de Leon, a Spanish conquistador. Notable landmarks within Tiwanacu include the Sunken Courtyard and the Gate of the Sun. It is estimated that Tiwanacu was established around A.D. 400. Experts believe that Tiwanacu grew into a dominant force in the region around A.D. 600. By A.D. 1000, the empire of Tiwanacu had disappeared due to what many believe was a great drought. This crisis would have diminished the power of ruling authorities and most likely led to a collapse of the empire.
  
  

"Heroinas de la Coronilla" Monument

• During the battles for independence that took place between 1809 and 1825, several instances of valor and heroism have been documented and chronicled by historians and artists. The Heroinas de la Coronilla monument on San Sebastian Hill commemorates the sacrifice of Manuela Gandarillas and the women she led in armed combat against Spanish forces. Manuela Gandarillas is considered an iconic figure in Bolivian history, not only because of her actions and gender but also due to her blindness. The women occupied San Sebastian Hill and successfully defended it until they were overwhelmed and killed on May 27, 1812. Standing roughly 50 feet in height, the cast bronze monument was constructed in 1926. Because of their sacrifice, the government of Bolivia declared May 27 the official date of Mother's Day.
  
  

Cristo de la Concordia

• Built over a span of seven years, Cristo de la Concordia is the largest statue in the world of Jesus Christ, and the largest statue of any kind in the southern hemisphere. The statue has a height 108 feet, or 33 meters. This number carries special significance, as Jesus was believed to be roughly 33 years old when he died. The statue was designed by Cesar and Walter Terrazas Pardo. The design of Cristo de la Concordia was modeled on the famous statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Construction on the statue began in 1987 and was finished in 1994. The statue is located in Cochabamba, in close proximity to the "Heroinas de la Coronilla" monument.