5 kilometers from Sucre, the capital of Bolivia, there is a real castle of the princess. La Glorieta was built in 1897 by order of Don Francisco Argandon and his wife Clotilde. Argandon was the owner of the silver mines in Potosi, the bank, was the ambassador of Bolivia to France and Russia, and also the owner of untold wealth. At the same time, Francisco and his wife were actively involved in charity work, founded two orphanages, donated money for the construction of the theater and the Potosi-Sucre railway.
Once, impressed by the size of Argandon's donation to the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIII granted the spouses the titles of Prince and Princess of La Glorieta (although there was no monarchy in Bolivia). Since princes are supposed to live in a castle, Argandon built an unusual mansion with 40 rooms. The architectural style of the castle is complete eclecticism, which seems tasteless to many.
One tower is made in the Russian style, the other with Chinese pagoda motifs, the third is a Gothic copy of Big Ben, the rest is in the Florentine style. Inside there are mosaics, marble, stucco, stained-glass windows. But given the general architectural dullness of Bolivia (Sucre does not count), this castle is quite a pleasant vivid impression. Around the mansion itself there is a garden with fountains and sculptures; earlier, a steam locomotive walked through the territory of the garden, all sorts of animals ran around.
The history of the only Bolivian aristocratic family ended in 1933 with the death of Clotilde, the Argandons had no children. The castle for some time belonged to the armed forces of Bolivia, a military academy was located there, since 1987 La Glorieta has become a museum.
Once, impressed by the size of Argandon's donation to the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIII granted the spouses the titles of Prince and Princess of La Glorieta (although there was no monarchy in Bolivia). Since princes are supposed to live in a castle, Argandon built an unusual mansion with 40 rooms. The architectural style of the castle is complete eclecticism, which seems tasteless to many.
One tower is made in the Russian style, the other with Chinese pagoda motifs, the third is a Gothic copy of Big Ben, the rest is in the Florentine style. Inside there are mosaics, marble, stucco, stained-glass windows. But given the general architectural dullness of Bolivia (Sucre does not count), this castle is quite a pleasant vivid impression. Around the mansion itself there is a garden with fountains and sculptures; earlier, a steam locomotive walked through the territory of the garden, all sorts of animals ran around.
The history of the only Bolivian aristocratic family ended in 1933 with the death of Clotilde, the Argandons had no children. The castle for some time belonged to the armed forces of Bolivia, a military academy was located there, since 1987 La Glorieta has become a museum.
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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