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Exploring Tourism in Bolivia
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Potosi City And Cerro Rico

Potosi, Bolivia

Potosi
Magnificent religious and civic buildings shine, such as: Casa de la Moneda (The Mint), a building considered America’s Slag Dump, which looks like a real fortress. It was built of rock, slate and cedar. Highlights include: Its beautifully mannered façade, the patios and balconies, storage rooms, the foundry, silver coin collection, among others. Today, the building is a Museum and Historical Archive. In the museum one finds the Hall of Numismatics, The Lamination Machines, Viceroy Paintings, and others. Potosi’s architectural legacy stretches from a baroque style to baroque-Mestizos, from a renaissance style, to a neoclassic tradition. Of note are the temples and monasteries, in particular the following: The Cathedral or Main Church, considered the greatest work of neoclassic architecture in the country. San Francisco is enhanced with its gorgeous stone façade crafted by Sebastian de la Cruz. Santa Teresa Church, built in 1685, stands as a true relic of the 17th century. San Lorenzo Church features a wonderful baroque-Mestizos stone façade decorated by unique elements of Andean culture. Compañía de Jesús (The Company of Jesus) has only the beautiful main tower still standing, but is of note due to its baroque façade flanked by three pairs of very ornate Solomon columns. Iglesia de Belen (The Church of Bethlehem) is currently a theatre and lookout point, and San Bernardo Church currently functions as the Potosi Workshop School.


CERRO RICO DE POTOSÍ (THE RICH MOUNTAIN OF POTOSI): Located south of the city, the mines are famous for their silver deposits, which gave the department its wealth. Before the arrival of The Spaniards, it was known by The Incas as “Potosi”, and very often visited due to the thermal baths that surround it – very sought-after for their healing properties.

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