A few people know that one of the oldest universities in the world is located in Sucre, Bolivia. It is the University of St. Francis Xavier, which was founded in 1624.

The Spanish king Philip IV ordered to open a university in this city. This idea was supported by Pope Innocent XII.

A large educational institution in the new lands aimed to transfer knowledge to the descendants of the nobility of South America. Besides, European immigrants living on this continent should have a good education to strengthen their power. So, it was necessary to create a large university in Bolivia meeting the requirements of that time.

Architects paid a lot of attention to the university building to show the power and significance of Spanish influence. And they made it luxurious. This construction is made in the Baroque style and decorated with intricate stucco. The main entrance is decorated with exquisite Doric columns. The windows are made in stained glass style with thematic paintings, following the fashion of that time.

The University of Saint Francis Xavier acquired the status of a significant training centre much later, in 1789. At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, it became the main centre of revolutionary thought in Bolivia. Right after the proclamation of the Republic of Simon Bolivar, the University of Saint Francis Xavier became the essential educational institution of the whole country.

Today, this university is one of the world's leading educational centers. It includes 15 faculties. Though one of the first faculties was law, the most demanded today are the faculties of the humanities, pharmacy and biochemistry, and the faculty of agronomy.