| Potosí | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 4,067 m a.s.l. | |
| Inhabitants | 164.481 | |
Position
| ||
| Institutional website | ||
Potosí is a city of Bolivia.
To know
Potosi is located on theBolivian plateau, at over 4,000 m of altitude. It is the capital of the homonymous department.
Background
Potosí was founded in 1546 following the discovery of rich silver mines in the area of Cerro Rico. It quickly developed into one of the largest cities on the New Continent. Whole generations of transplanted slaves from Africa worked incessantly in the mines. In the nineteenth century, however, the silver vein was exhausted, a fact that determined the progressive decline of the city.
The history of Potosi is testified by its colonial-era mansions, by its many baroque churches that have earned it its inclusion in the list UNESCO of the World Heritage Sites.
How to orient yourself
Potosí: full screen map.How to get
On the train
Potosi is located along the railway line that starts from Villazon (Border withArgentina) and passes through Uyuni.
By bus
The suburban bus station is down a 30 minute walk from the center located on a hill. Daily services for Oruro (take about 7 hours) and for Sucre (3 ~ 4 hours).
As an alternative to buses, you can take collective taxis for both Sucre (35B) and for Oruru (price 120B). The only drawback is that you have to wait for the available seats to be all occupied, otherwise you won't leave.
How to get around
By taxi
The taxi is the main way to get from one end to the other. However, it is necessary to negotiate the fare in advance if you want to avoid misunderstandings when you arrive at your destination.
What see
Civil architectures
- 1 Casa Nacional de Moneda, Calle Ayacocha s / n. One of the most interesting museums in the South America.
- El Cabildo, Plaza 10 de Noviembre. The old town hall.
- House of Antonio Lopez de Quiroga. House of a 17th century mining contractor.
- Palacio de Cristal, Calle de Sucre.
- Casa de las tres Portadas, Calle Bolivar.
- Arcos de Cobijas (On the street of the same name).
Religious architectures
- 2 Cathedral.
- 3 Torre de la Compañía.
- 4 Church of San Bernardo, Calle Chichas.
- Belen Church.
- 5 San Benito.
- Saint martin.
- 6 Saint Lawrence (Iglesia de San Lorenzo de Carangas).
- 7 St. Augustine (San Augustin).
- 8 Santo Domingo.
- Belen Church.
- 9 Jerusalén Church, Avenida Antofagasta.
- San Juan de Dios.
- La Merced.
- 10 Convent of San Francesco, Calle Macedonio Nogales. Today it is used as a museum of religious art
- 11 Convent of Santa Teresa, Santa Teresa 6. also used as a museum
Museums
- University Museum.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
- 1 Mercado Central.
- 2 Mercado Chuquimia, University Av.
- 3 Mercado Vicuñas.
- 4 Mercado Calvario.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Average prices
- La Casona Hostal Potosi, calle Chuquisaca 460 (100m from the central square), ☎ 591 02 6230523, fax: 591 02 6230523, @[email protected]. Check in: 11:00, check-out: 10:30. Spacious and clean rooms. Access to the network via wi-fi only in the rooms on the ground floor. Gas water heater, laundry service. Tour to Cerro Rico
- Koala Den, Junín 56 (A few blocks behind the central square), ☎ 591 02 6226467, @[email protected]. Accommodation in dormitories but also in double or triple rooms. Heating system
- Residencial Felcar, Av Serrudo esq. Bustillos 345, ☎ 591 02 6224966. A well-known hotel in Potosi. Water heater in operation only during the day (from 8 to 10 in the evening). You have breakfast on the patio
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- 12 Cerro Rico.
- Uyuni - 150 km west of Potosì, Uyuni it is the base for visiting the salt lakes of the plateau.
- On the way to the border Argentine
- Along the way to Sucre
- Along the way to Oruro
