Destination Potosi

Potosí, city in southern Bolivia, capital of Potosí Department, in the Andes Mountains. Population (2001) 145,057. Set at about 4,050 m (about 13,290 ft) above sea level, Potosí is one of the highest cities in the world. It lies beneath the Cerro de Potosí — sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico ("Rich Mountain") — a mountain rich in minerals especially silver ore, which has always dominated the city.

Within the city are Tomás Frías University (1892), a cathedral, a mint built (Casa de Moneda) in 1572, and many colonial churches. Potosí was founded in 1546, a year after silver was discovered in the region. By 1611 Potosí population increased to nearly 200,000, making it one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Latin America and in the world, at that time more then eighty six churches were built in the city. By 1825, however, the silver was virtually exhausted, and the population fell to 8000. During the early 20th century, tin mining became important, and the city began to grow again.

On December 11, 1987 (in Paris, France), the UNESCO declared the city of Potosí a "World Heritage Site" in recognition for its rich history and its wealth of colonial architecture.

Potosi is now a major tourist destination due to its lovely colonial architecture and the central part of the city still preserves its colonial look and feel. Bolivian most famous museum “casa the Moneda”, which houses many of the Bolivian treasures is also found here, and together with Carmelitas Convent it is one of the most visited sites in Potosi. Another popular activity during the visit of the city is the excursion to the cooperative mines in the Cerro Rico. These excursions give a true insight into the hard life of a Bolivian miner.

Due to its high altitude the climate is rather harsh and extreme, cold nights, especially in winter when temperature drops deep below freezing point as soon as the sun goes down are part of the hard life. During the day the sun is very intense and one has to be cautious not to get sunburned. The air is dry and crisp. .


You can see some photographs from Potosi and its surroudnings here, and you can visit Potosi with one of our following tours:

  • 13 days - Short Circuit (TE13-01)
  • 18 days - Archeological Circuit (TE18-01)
  • 20 days - Medium Circuit (TE20-01)
  • 27 days - Unesco Circuit (TE27-01)
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    Please make sure that you allow scripts or ActiveX controls, otherwise you will not be able to see the pictures on this site. There is no virus nor malware on this site, it is required for the full functionality

     

    This web site is optimized for Windows OS and Internet Explorer 7.0. It is also compatible with Netscape 7.2, Opera7.54 and FireFox 1.5.0.6

    Site also works under Mac OS, but there is major displacement of some of images




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