My illustrious great-grandfather


Some are born into silk diapers, others fashion them later on… as they live out their most renown and celebrated lives


La Inmortal Plaza de Armas, Sucre, Chuquisaca, Bolivia
The Inmortal           Plaza de Armas, Sucre, Chuquisaca, Bolivia

This question of our noble ascendancy and heritage, positively obsessed my mother’s life. To explain this unusual situation, it is necessary to go back to the far-gone days of my most illustrious great-grandfather, on my maternal side.

Bajada desde La Recoleta ciudad de Sucre, Chuquisaca, Bolivia
Descending from La Recoleta           Sucre City, Chuquisaca, Bolivia

Francisco Algodoña was the son of Don Mariano and Doña Eloísa, whom, notably, were not highborn or titled. When my great-grandfather was born, nor him, nor his three sisters (Amanda, Isabel, and Candelaria), nor, much less, Manuel (his brother) were highborn of noble blood. My great-grandfather’s nobility would emanate directly from God. I realize this is difficult to swallow, but that is what happened in those remote and distant times.

La Plaza de Armas ciudad de Sucre, Chuquisaca, Bolivia
The Plaza de Armas           Sucre City, Chuquisaca, Bolivia

My distinguished and aristocratic great-grandfather, Francisco Algodoña, was born in 1850; at a moment in history in which we had just cordially invited all the Spaniard Nobility to pack their bags, go back home to Spain and never return to Bolivia. In the independent Bolivia of that time, all the nobility titles and honours had been abolished. That is exactly what was said and thought at the time, until the arrival and appointment of Don Francisco…

Vista desde la casa de José de Antonio ciudad de Sucre, Chuquisaca, Bolivia
The view from José de Antonio’s house           Sucre City, Chuquisaca, Bolivia

 

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   ©  All photos by edudelcorral


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