Take a Step Back into the Past
Located in the Southern highlands of Bolivia, Potosi stands as a testament to a bygone era of Spanish Colonial wealth and grandeur. This high-altitude UNESCO-world heritage-listed city, perched at over 4,000 meters above sea level, was once synonymous with silver fortunes and opulent colonial architecture. Today, Potosi remains a captivating destination for travelers seeking to unravel its rich history, explore its unique landscapes, and marvel at its well-preserved Colonial architecture. Potosi is a tourist gem in any Bolivian travel experience. In this blog, we will take you on a journey of the sites you should visit to enrich your perspective of Bolivia’s Colonial past.
Plaza 10 de Noviembre
At the heart of Potosi lies Plaza 10 de Noviembre, a focal point and a vibrant hub of culture. It’s surrounded by Potosi major tourist sites and lively markets. The square is an ideal spot to commence your day of sightseeing, with street performers, artisan markets, and charming cafes offering a taste of daily life in Potosi. After relaxing in the plaza, you can embark on your journey to Potosi’s rich colonial past
Cathedral Basilica of Potosi
Located adjacent to Plaza 10 de Noviembre is the Cathedral Basilica of Potosi. It is an architectural masterpiece that dominates the city’s skyline. It is also formally known as Cathedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora de La Paz. Built in the 16th century, this grandiose structure has an exquisite blend of Mudejar, Baroque, and Renaissance styles. Step inside to witness the intricate gold leaf altars, ornate wooden carvings, and a collection of colonial-era religious artifacts. The cathedral is a poignant reminder of Potosi’s opulent past, contrasting sharply with the humble lives of its silver miners.
The Cathedral also offers great views of the city of Potosi and of Cerro Rico, the mountain that dominates the landscape. The worthwhile climb of the Catherals’s bell tower will offer sensational views.
An important note is that the Cathedral is closed on Sundays for tourists. The admission price at the time of writing was 20 Bs.
Casa de la Moneda de Bolivia
Once the royal mint that was responsible for processing the silver extracted from Cerro Rico, came the majority of the silver circulated throughout the Spanish Empire. Casa de la Moneda now stands as a museum outlining Potosi’s monetary history. Visitors can explore the vast coin-making machinery, marvel at the impressive collection of coins spanning centuries, and gain a deeper understanding of the economic significance of Potosi during the colonial era. It’s one of the best museums in South America and a must-do whilst visiting Potosi.
Cerro Rico: The Mountain that Keeps Giving
The heart of Potosi is Cerro Rico, the “Rich Mountain.” Known as the world’s largest silver deposit, this towering peak has shaped the destiny of Potosi for centuries. Visitors can take guided tours of the mines, gaining insights into the strenuous lives of the miners and the historical significance of the Silver mining industry. The beautiful panoramic views from Cerro Rico offer a stark contrast to the tales of hardship in its cavernous depths.
Tours to the Cerro Rico mine offer transport to the mine site from the city. They also offer a guide, full protective clothing, and safety gear, including a head torch. Our guide recommended purchasing drinks, food, and coca leaves for the miners as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation for their dedication and time. As you can imagine, mining is a strenuous and dangerous occupation. However, we always felt safe on the tour. The mine shafts are fairly large so we never had any sense of claustrophobia nor did any of our tour companions.
How to Get There
Most tourists arrive in Potosi by bus. It is a common stop for tourists traveling between Sucre and Uyuni and vice-versa. Travel times (one-way) are as follows:
- Sucre to Potosi (3 hours approx)
- Uyuni to Potosi (3.5 hours approx)
- La Paz to Potosi (8.5 hours approx)
- Oruro to Potosi (5 hours approx)
There are two bus terminals in Potosi, the new terminal and the old terminal. The new terminal is for buses that are coming from and leaving for other departments within Bolivia. This includes La Paz and Sucre. The old terminal is for departures and arrivals for buses within the Potosi department, such as Uyuni.
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