On August 7th, 1995, Juana Azurduy de Padilla’s bust was dedicated in this roundabout that bears her name. In addition to this bust and another statue, Azurduy de Padilla is commemorated in buildings and schools in La Paz. Juana Azurduy de Padilla (1780-1862) was a renowned military leader who fought against the Spanish for Bolivia’s independence. Born in Chuquisaca (modern-day Sucre, Bolivia) to a white Basque father and indigenous mother, Azurduy de Padilla defied conventions from a young age, mastering riding and shooting and joining her father at work. She also refused to become a nun and married her childhood friend Manuel Ascencio Padilla. They joined the revolutionary forces fighting for independence from Spanish rule, hoping for a better and more equal life. Azurduy de Padilla was a fearless and formidable guerrilla fighter, participating in and leading many battles, earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Tragically, Azurduy de Padilla lost her husband and four children during the brutal conflict. Despite the immense personal losses, she continued fighting with unwavering determination. When Bolivia became independent in 1825, Azurduy de Padilla received a military pension for several years. Sadly, she lived her final decades in poverty, unable to return to live in her family land. Years after Azurduy de Padilla died, her heroism, sacrifice, and bravery stories reappeared in Bolivia and Argentina, making her a national heroine. Since then, her legacy has been honored in monuments, and many buildings and institutions bear her name. Read more...