Home > Travel > National Park International >

Potosi

Description: Potosí is a city, the capital of the department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is at an altitude of 3,967 meters (13,015 ... more

Potosi ... feet) and has about 115,000 inhabitants. It is claimed to be the highest city in the world. It lies beneath the Cerro de Potosí — sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico ("rich mountain") — a mountain of silver ore, which has always dominated the city. Cerro de Potosí's peak is 4,824 meters (15,827 feet) above sea level.

Newest Review: ... else I have visited. Aside from the mine tour a visit to the Casa de Moneda, the former coin mint and now combined art museum and history of the royal mint in Potosi. Visit is by guided tour only but is an interesting look at the affluent side of early Potosi. The many, many churches also demonstrate how the riches of the mountain were used not to provide a better quality of life for the ... more

... many but rather of the few. There are so many that a wander around the centre will show up a number and they are all worth visiting. In particular, churches San Benito and San Lorenzo are impressive for their buildings and insides....more

Read Reviews for Potosi

Potosi, city of contrast (366 words)
by - written on 24/05/09 (Very useful, 11 readings)
Rating:

Potosi, at an altitude of 4050 metres, claims to be the world's highest city and is certainly one that shocks with it's poverty and amazes with the fabulous displays of wealth in the churches. This contrast is what has defined Potosi since silver was discovered in Cerro Rico, the mountain which dominates the skyline wherever you are in the city. The main attraction of Potosi is a visit to the mines where thousands of mainly indigenous Bolivians toil every day. The mines lack many basic safety measures and can be hot, very cold, cramped and of course the air quality is terrible. The reality of the mines mean that asthmatics, or people with other lung complaints ... Read the complete review

Potosi Mines -- Chewing Cocoa in Bolivia (461 words)
by - written on 06/09/00 (Very useful, 151 readings)
Rating:

Potosi was founded on 10th April, 1545, after Indian silver mines were discovered at Cerro Rico, and became one of the richest cities in South America. A tour of the co-operative mines today gives the visitor some idea of the atrocious conditions these men are forced to work under to scratch a subsistence level for their families. The entrance tunnels are understandably chilly. At 4,070 metres above sea level, Potosi is one of the highest cities of its size in the world, and possibly one of the coldest, harshest, most depressing spots in the Andes. From the cold associated with such altitude, the inner levels of the mines soon cause the men to ... Read the complete review