It was built between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries in the so-called
Andean Baroque style. Milestones in its history include: • In 1548, the Convent of San Francisco was founded along the
Choqueyapu River by Fray Francisco de Morales. • In August 1549 the construction of the first Church of San Francisco began, which was concluded in 1581. • Between 1608 and 1612 the first church collapsed as a result of a snowfall of considerable proportions. • Between 1743 and 1744 the construction of the present church began. • In 1753, the closure and the roof of the church's dome were completed. • On April 23, 1758, it was
consecrated. • In 1790, the carved façade is finished. • In 1885, the construction of its single tower began. • In 1948, it was declared a
minor basilica. • Between 1950 and 1960, part of the convent was demolished. • Since 1965, the church houses a
museum. ==References==