Iglesia de San Francisco, La Paz: Overall view of facade viewed from the Plaza de San Francisco

In the 18th century, examples of Mestizo Baroque architecture, influenced by indigenous styles and techniques, began to appear in such churches as San Francisco (1744-1784) and San Domingo, which served as the city's cathedral until the 19th century. Mestizo is characterized by massive Baroque structure with finely dressed stone detailing in exuberant flat patterns reminiscent of embroidery or wood-carving. San Francisco has indigenous symbols such as masked figures, snakes, dragons and tropical birds on its facade. The interior is Neoclassical.