Vallegrande

Vallegrande. Vallegrande is a historic municipality and town located in the Santa Cruz Department of Bolivia, serving as the capital of the Vallegrande Province. Founded during the Spanish colonial era, it is situated in a temperate valley within the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes mountains. The town gained significant international attention in the late 20th century as the location where the remains of the revolutionary Che Guevara were discovered and secretly interred for decades.

History

The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Chané and Guarani before the arrival of the Spanish Empire. The town was officially founded in 1612 under the name *Jesús y Montes Claros de los Caballeros del Vallegrande* by Spanish Captain Pedro Lucio Escalante y Mendoza, as part of the colonial expansion from the Viceroyalty of Peru. During the Bolivian War of Independence, the region saw skirmishes between royalist and patriot forces. In the 20th century, it became a focal point of the guerrilla campaign led by Che Guevara in 1967. Following his capture and execution in nearby La Higuera, his body was transported to Vallegrande and buried in a secret location near the local airstrip, a site later revealed in 1997 by a team including Cuban and Argentine forensic experts. His remains were subsequently repatriated to Cuba and interred in the Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara.

Geography

Vallegrande is located approximately 125 kilometers southwest of the departmental capital, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in the Vallegrande Valley. The terrain is characterized by the rugged foothills of the Cordillera Oriental, part of the larger Andes mountain range, with elevations averaging around 2,000 meters above sea level. The region features a network of rivers, including the Grande River and its tributaries, which flow through the fertile valley. The climate is classified as temperate subtropical, with distinct wet and dry seasons, making it more moderate than the lowland plains of the Llanos Orientales.

Demographics

The population is primarily of Mestizo heritage, blending Spanish colonial and indigenous ancestry. Indigenous groups, including descendants of the Guarani, form a minority. The predominant language is Spanish, with Roman Catholicism being the dominant religion, evidenced by historic churches like the Iglesia Matriz de Vallegrande. Population growth has been slow, with many residents migrating to larger urban centers like Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cochabamba for economic opportunities, a common trend within the department.

Economy

The local economy is predominantly based on agriculture and livestock farming. Key agricultural products include maize, wheat, potatoes, and a variety of fruits such as peaches and grapes. Livestock, particularly cattle ranching for dairy and beef, is a significant activity. There is also small-scale production of artisanal goods, including textiles and leatherwork. In recent decades, tourism related to the history of Che Guevara has provided a supplementary income stream, with visitors drawn to sites like the former hospital laundry and the memorial at the airstrip.

Culture and Tourism

Cultural life is marked by traditional festivals, most notably the annual fiesta in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which features processions, folk music, and dances like the Cueca and Carnaval-inspired performances. The town's Spanish Colonial architecture is evident in its central plaza and the historic Iglesia Matriz de Vallegrande. The primary tourist attraction is the Ruta del Che, which includes the laundry room of the Hospital Nuestro Señor de Malta, where Guevara's body was displayed, and the memorial at the old airstrip. The surrounding landscape also offers opportunities for hiking and exploring the scenic Vallegrande Valley.

Category:Populated places in the Santa Cruz Department (Bolivia)