On Sunday we visited Potosi. I was very excited because after almost 10 years living in Bolivia {on and off} I was finally going to visit this beautiful city of which I have heard and read so much. It is a two and a half hour drive from Sucre so we went on a day tour.
Potosi was the largest city in the Western Hemisphere during the colonial era, it was also the most populated city in the world. The "Cerro Rico" was mined for silver and tin for over 500 years. The silver mines found in Potosi are the largest ever found in the Western Hemisphere. They became a major commercial hub of the Spanish colonies and resulted in the colonization of the entire stretch between Cuzco, Peru and Potosi, Bolivia.
Mendez Bridge - the limit between Potosi and ChiquisacaCerro Rico in the back of the photoTo this day, Potosi still sits on a tremendous treasure in the form of magnificent architecture and history. The city is well known for its cultural content and beautiful paintings. On December 11, 1987, UNESCO declared Potosi a World Heritage Site for the richness of its history and architecture.
early morning arrival in Potosi... icicles and -5 C!
With an altitude of 4,090 meters above sea level, Potosi is a an amazing place to visit, it is the highest city in the world. With this altitude the climate often offers cool weather and sometimes freezing rain. We wore our warmest clothes and still felt very cold in the early morning hours and especially inside the churches.
Potosi was once considered "the best place to live," where ornate cathedrals and mansions were built and the roads were said to be made of silver. Some of the wealthiest and most respected people in the world lived in Potosi. It was a colonial masterpiece.
Love this sign that tells you the altitude - 4,060 meters above sea level.
