Located 4,090 meters above sea level, this colonial Bolivian city was once the world's largest silver producer, with mines that fueled the Spanish Empire's wealth for centuries.
At 4,090 meters above sea level, Potosí ranks among Earth’s highest cities. Red-tiled roofs spread across valleys surrounded by the sharp peaks of Cerro Rico, a mountain that once fueled Spain’s colonial empire with silver. You can tour active mines inside this mountain, visit the Casa de la Moneda museum to see antique coin presses, or explore churches like San Lorenzo with carved stone facades mixing Catholic and Indigenous designs. Spanish colonial wealth built grand courtyards and arched stone buildings along narrow streets, many now protected by UNESCO for their historical significance. Mining still occurs here, but decades of excavation have left parts of Cerro Rico unstable.
Mining History and Cerro Rico Tours
Potosí’s identity revolves around Cerro Rico, the "Rich Mountain" that drew Spanish colonizers in 1545. Guided mine tours take you through tunnels where workers still extract minerals using hand tools and dynamite. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a flashlight – the passages are dark, cramped, and dusty. Many tours include stops at miners’ markets where you can buy coca leaves or soda to give as gifts to workers. The mountain’s visible sinkholes and cracked slopes reveal the environmental cost of centuries of mining.
Colonial Architecture and Museums
The Casa de la Moneda occupies a block-long building with thick stone walls built in 1773. Inside, you’ll see wooden machinery used to press silver coins, religious art made from mined metals, and displays explaining the mint’s role in global trade. Nearby, the San Francisco Church holds catacombs with human remains arranged in geometric patterns beneath its altar. Look for carvings of suns and snakes on colonial-era doorways – subtle nods to Indigenous beliefs blended with European styles.
Practical Tips for High-Altitude Travel
Potosí’s elevation causes shortness of breath and headaches for many visitors. Spend your first day resting, drink mate de coca (coca leaf tea), and avoid heavy meals. Public buses connect the city to Sucre in 3 hours, but the winding mountain roads require motion sickness medication for some. Hostels near Plaza 10 de Noviembre rent thick blankets, as nights often drop below freezing even in summer. Most museums charge under $5 USD for entry, with discounts for students.
