Cities of Bolivia: Potosi
The city of Potosi lies 164 km from Sucre on the desert, unprotected plain, among the fruitless mountains at an altitude of almost 4100 meters above sea level. Potosi – the highest city in the world, as well as the most charming and tragic place in Bolivia.
Opening by the Indian of the Diego Walpoy in 1544 rich silver ore in Mount Cerro Rico ("Rich mountain") led to the foundation on April 10, 1545. The city was founded under the name of Villa Imperial de Carlos V, in honor of the Spanish King Carlos then. Almost random discovery of silver, so precious for Spanish conquerors, led to a sharp increase in the city, and after 1572, when silver mining was sharply increased, began to expand and sweat itself, turning to the middle of the XVII century to the richest city of America (and some believe what the world). But when silver reserves have exhausted, the Spaniards left the city, which still keeps numerous traces of their former majesty in the form of churches (it is believed that from here 86) and monasteries, rich mansions with luxurious finish and other masterpieces of colonial architecture. In 1988, UNESCO made Potosi to the World Heritage List of Humanity.
Sights Potosi
The most interesting objects of the city are the women’s monastery of San Francisco (1547, now here is the Museum of Religious Art), Tambo de la Cruz ("Tambo" – Market with a hotel), Temple and Women’s Monastery of Santa Teresa (1685, Now the art museum is located here), the house of Casa de la Monda (1542 g, the first Mint in Potosi, now there is an extensive national museum with a luxurious collection. Products made of precious metals and a collection of works of religious art), Mount Serro Rico herself, made by more than 5 thousand mine stems, the building of the National Bank in the former de-Otavi mansion (1750-1785.), Mansion Casa de la Tres-PortaDes, "Crystal Palace", Potosi Cathedral (XVI B, reconstructed in 1808-1838.) And the church capital on the main square of the city, the Church of San Benito (1700 g), Church of San Lorenzo (1548 g) with fancy entrance gates, Church of Belen, San Bernardo, San Agustin, La Comach de Hesus ( 1590 g), San Martin, San Juan de Dios and Santo Domingo.
Reviews and studies of trips
Bolivian city Potosi – South America’s Silver Capital
Today I will show you how the Potosi looks like – once the richest, and now one of the largest cities of Bolivia, which is one of the most high mountain cities in the world. Read more →
Trip to South America
March. Middle. Following the migratory birds moved to the south and I.On this occasion of the house scandal. Lesshe had to go in a bad mood. I kissed Katyusha, she is 12 years old and ahead, to Moscow, to Moscow …, and there I sat down with another Geno Kobzarev at the table and dinner until the night. In 12 picked up Sheremetyevo, but the last bus was already gone. Lunch continued. At night I was lucky at the airport "Face of Caucasian nationality" on a zhigulenka zhigulenka, and on the simplicity of spiritual, what to say – the children of the mountains, brought our Sheremetyevo to our our. Read more →
Gorbunov Sergey | March-May 2006
Bolivia: Above only stars
Bolivian action plan This: arrival in La Pass, in the morning to the airport (buying tickets on the shoulder la paz-Santiago de Chile), the capture of the Rentakar cars and on the road through the organizer-salty lakes-Potosi Sucre – back to La Paz – departure in Santiago. All about everything we have a week. But life makes its own adjustments. Read more →
