Calle Jaen in La Paz, Bolivia
(photo: Calle Jaen in La Paz, Bolivia)
One of La Paz's remaining colonial streets and the best preserved colonial street in La Paz is Calle Jean. Here you can spend a half-day strolling along this historic street of Calle Jaen and enjoy its charming cobblestone street, museums and cathedrals.
The narrow street is lined with colorful houses with elegant wooden balconies, red-tiled roofs and carved stone doorways. Some of the houses which have now been converted into museums.
This historic street was once called Cabracancha and was later renamed in honour of Apollinar Jaen who once lived here and was an influential figure in working towards Bolivia's independence. Also, independence leader Pedro Domingo Murillo, a historical figure of Bolivia once lived along this street.
Museums on Calle Jaen
Museum of Musical Instruments (Museo de Instrumentos Musicales) Featured here is a huge collection of musical instruments from Bolivia and Andean music instruments. The museum was founded by
Ernesto Cavour, a Bolivian musician and the inventor of various instruments that have enriched the folklore of the country.
Phone: 240-8177. Location: Calle Jaen #711
Calle Jaen Municipal Museums Circut
If you are looking for a unique view of Bolivian history, culture and artifacts, then visit the group of four museums on Calle Jaen. - Museo Costumbrista, Museo del Litoral, Casa de Don Pedro Domingo and Museo de Metales Preciosos.
The four municipal museums are all accessed on a single ticket, which is sold at Museo Costumbrista. The museums are open Tuesday to Friday, 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm and on weekends 10am-1pm.
- Museo Costumbrista
Features La Paz's history and people. Some amazing photographs are on display, as well as old pianos and phonographs and many modern figurines depicting all styles of life and clothing in La Paz.
Phone: 237-8478. Location: Calle Jaén on the corner of Calle Sucre
Museo de Litoral
Features Spanish army uniforms, swords, pistols, rifles, historical maps, paintings of war scenes, and information on Bolivian wars such as the war with Chile in 1884 when Bolivia lost its ocean coastline.
Location: Calle Jaen #798Casa de Don Pedro Domingo Murillo
This museum features items from the colonial era. Such as furniture and textiles.
Phone: 237-5273. Location: Calle Jaen #790Museum of Precious Metals (Museo de Metales Preciosos Precolombinos)
Pre-Columbian treasures such as gold silver and copper work.
Phone: 237-1470. Location: Calle Jaen #777
