Kemado Palace

The construction of the first palace of Cabildo de La Paz began in 1559 . Money for the construction - 12,000 pesos, was sent by the vice-king of Peru , Andres Hurtado de Mendoza . Construction was completed in 1561 .

Construction continued in 1781, a courtyard, a grand staircase was created, arcades were built around the first floor, a gallery and an arch on the top floor. The building was tiled. In the second courtyard of the building was a prison in which , a fighter for the independence of Bolivia , was hanged on January 29, 1810 .

The building has served as the Government House since August 1825 , when Simon Bolivar won independence.

The government house was often reconstructed until 1846 , when President Jose Balivian ordered its demolition and construction of a new one. Construction management was entrusted to the most famous architect of that time, Jose Núñez del Prado, who had previously built the La Paz Theater, opened in 1845 and in which the Patriotic song was first performed. Construction was completed six years and four months later and was opened by President Isidoro Belsu on March 25, 1853 . He was later killed in a palace during an uprising against President Mariano Melgarejo .

The origin of the nickname "Burned Palace" dates back to March 20, 1875 , the time of the reign of Thomas Frias Ametlier , when a crowd led by Carlos Ressini and Modesto Moskoko began to storm the building. But realizing the impossibility of taking the palace, the rebels set it on fire. After the fire, the building was unsuitable for operation. In 1882, the restoration of the palace began, and the building on the corner of Potosi and Ayacucho streets, between 1875 and 1882, was used as a residence.

In 1899, the palace officially became the residence of the president.

In 1913 , during the second government of President Ismael Montes , a major overhaul was made. In 1923 , during the presidency of Bautista Saavedra , a new reconstruction began by the centenary of the republic.

On July 21, 1946, an uprising began. During the assault, President Gualberto Villarroel was thrown from the balcony onto Piazza Murillo and hung on a lamppost.

During the period of the National Revolution, President Paz Estenssoro ordered to decorate the cabinets of the palace. By his order, the artist Miguel Pantoy Alandia allegorical depicted the National Revolution, on the main staircase (this work was later destroyed by order of President Barrientos ). Also, an arched entrance in the lobby was made of marble and an elevator was installed.

In 1973, during the reign of General Banser, a helipad was built on the roof. When Pas Zamora the interior was reconstructed, cream and brown tones with cinnabar outlines were introduced, especially in the main hall. As a possible place of residence, the third floor was built with a bedroom and a separate bathroom. A presidential museum was created with portraits of all the rulers of the country, the work of various artists.

In 2001, under President Quiroga, the building was modernized - computers and protective windows were installed.

During the presidency of Carlos Mesa , a comprehensive restoration of the building was made. New windows, new plumbing and electricity, communication networks, a security system and an autonomous generator of electricity were installed; a new roof is covered and a chandelier is hung in the main hall, the main facade is restored.

The building of 1853 has a rectangular shape of 37 by 39 meters, the height of the main facade with a view of Piazza Murillo is about 15 meters. The facade is made in the neoclassical style with columns, the pilasters on the first floor are Doric, on the second Ionic, on the third Corinthian. The windows on the first floor are crowned with simple cornices, on the second - with scrolls, and on the third floor with triangular gables. Each window has a balcony door, with the exception of the Red Room. The interior is decorated with Doric columns, a grand marble staircase. The arch consists of segments of yellow and black marble with ionic columns. The walls on the ground floor are made of stone.

Red Room

Used for receptions and meetings. Located on the second floor, it has one balcony with three doors. The room is named according to the color of the carpet and draperies. Medium-sized chandeliers, paintings with plots about the struggle for independence, Louis XVI style furniture with a touch of cream, cinnabar and pink tones.

Mirror Hall

Located on the second floor, used for protocol meetings, approval of the diplomatic corps, presentation of credentials. On the walls are mirrors framed by gilding in the form of paintings, the only picture is the first map of Bolivia , in the main part of the room, above the president’s table. Emerald green curtains, parquet floors, Rococo armchairs, spherical chandeliers.

Presidential Museum

It is located on the ground floor and is a miniature museum, with portraits of presidents, historical uniforms of the presidential guard, historical flags and a small library. On a simple parquet floor is a red carpet.

Main Dining Room

Used for protocol dinners. Located on the second floor. Rococo style furniture.

Cabinet

Located next to the office of the president, on the third floor. In the center is an oval table and chairs in the style of Louis XVI , a unique carved presidential chair with the coat of arms of Bolivia, all chairs are upholstered in leather. Behind the chair are two doors leading to the presidential administration, Chandeliers, sconces, four ionic columns in each corner of the room.

President's Office

Located on the third floor, in the center is a mahogany table., Behind it is a portrait of Andrés de Santa Cruz .

Presidential Bedroom

Located on the third floor, decorated in pink colors, with a bathroom and an antique staircase.

Prime Minister's Office

Located on the third floor, a functional and modern office.

Public Relations Office

It is located in the basement, from which the distribution of state ballots, laws, decrees, decrees and orders for the executive branch is carried out. Recording and customer service is done through the door on Ayacucho Street.

President Mariano Melgarejo never lived in this palace because he was afraid of the spirit of Isidoro Belsu , who was killed on the porch during the rebellion against Melgarejo.

President Santa Cruz, during his stay in La Paz, from where he managed most of his administration, had a residence in his own home, today the College of San Calixto.

In the same building, President Agustin Morales was killed when he hit his assistant, the nephew of President Federico Lafaye grabbed a revolver and shot the president.

Another story says that the spirits of the martyrs of 1875 and 1946 roam around the palace late in the evening, and people seem to hear their cries in the streets of Ayakucho and Ilimani.

In 2011, the government of President Evo Morales announced the construction of a new palace at the back of the building, once owned by individuals. A project was proposed to build a modern building, decorated in Native American motifs of the indigenous inhabitants of Bolivia, with a helipad on the roof.

• Official site