Potosi
Overview of Potosi
This famous silver mining city is one of the highest cities in the world. The mining tour will give you a great insight into the reality that these miners live on a daily basis. Although it is reminiscent of a wild western movie, the low temperatures will remind you otherwise. The city was the royal mint for the Spanish conquistadores back in the day and the nearby Cerro Rico or "rich mountain" was said actually to be made of silver! It is after all the world's largest deposit of silver. However, mining in the area later became more concentrated on tin mining.
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What to Do in Potosi
Visit a silver mine
The Cerro Rico or “rich mine” used to be an abundant source of silver but today is somewhat depleted, to say the least! Today travellers come to see the miners still at work, in somewhat difficult conditions, in the hope that they will find their life-changing precious metals! These remarkable mines however, still form one of the highest urban centres on the planet.
Visit The Mint House
The National Mint is Potosí’s main attraction and one of South America’s finest museums. was built between 1753 and 1773 to control the minting of colonial coins; legend has it that when the king of Spain saw the bill for its construction, he exclaimed ‘that building must be made of silver’. It was built on the original site of the first mint in the city which was constructed in 1572 and is a stunning building taking up a whole block and the museum offers great insight into the area and offering a host of historical treasures. The last coins were produced here in 1953; being replaced by cheaper materials like zinc and copper.