Plaza Murillo is the historical center of La Paz. During colonial times, Plaza Murillo was on the Spanish side of the Prado, and it became the center of the action because it was the main water source in town. In its glory days, the plaza was surrounded by eucalyptus trees and a statue of Neptune. In 1900, the plaza was officially named Plaza Murillo after General Murillo, one of the heroes of the Bolivian independence movement.
On one side of the plaza, you’ll find the neoclassical cathedral, which took 152 years to build (1835-1987). The towers are the newest part — they were constructed for the arrival of Pope John Paul II in 1989. If you want to visit the inside of the cathedral, it’s open weekdays from 3:30 to 7pm and in the mornings on weekends.