Potosi. Bolivia. 4K Walks

With an elevation just a touch below 4100 meters, Potosí is South America’s 5th highest city. Be prepared for shortness of breath plus a sudden inability to walk and talk at the same time!

This extreme altitude is not what makes Potosí famous amongst travellers though. It is the mines, deep within Cerro Rico, “the rich hill”, that have been drawing crowds to the city for over 400 years. For a time, Potosí was among the richest cities in the world and over half the world’s silver supply was taken from its mines. Arguably, without this fortune, the Spanish Empire would have been unable to become the all-conquering beast it turned out to be. Potosí is so famous for the wealth that was pulled from its land that the phrase “valer un potosí,” or “to be worth a potosí” is a synonym for “worth a fortune”.

You can’t really understand the history of Potosi until you understand the history of Cerro Rico.

The treasure hidden in Cerro Rico was found by chance, almost 500 years ago, when a llama herder went in search of one of his lost animals. As it became dark, he lit a fire to warm himself and spent the night. The next morning, under the fire and as a result of the intense heat, silver threads appeared. Soon the Spanish conquerers found out and took possession Cerro Rico and all its riches in the name of the Spanish crown.

In 1547, they began to mine in the Cerro Rico which was the biggest reserve of silver in the world at that time. Today, and almost 500 years later, Cerro Rico continues to be an active mine although the amount of silver is scarce now mainly contains zinc.

Potosí, known as Villa Imperial de Potosí in the colonial period, is the capital city and a municipality of the Department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is one of the highest cities in the world at a nominal 4,090 metres (13,420 ft).[3] For centuries, it was the location of the Spanish colonial silver mint. A considerable amount of the city's colonial architecture has been preserved in the historic center of the city, which - along with the globally important Cerro Rico de Potosí - are part of a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As one of South America’s most important colonial cities, Potosi is a must for those looking to add a little history to their Bolivian tour. Although the notorious Cerro Rico mines are the town’s biggest draw card, Potosi has a number of other attractions that make it well worth a visit. Our city guide tells you everything you need to know.