Discovering Andean Baroque of Potosí

Potosí is a Bolivian city with a lot of history. It is located more than 4000m above sea level and is therefore considered one of the highest cities in the world. It was declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1987 due to its importance in universal history and its architectural and artistic appeal and is considered the cradle of the Andean Baroque in Bolivia.

10 de Noviembre Square

Like every city founded during Spanish rule in America, the main square is located in the center of the city.

The Square is a large open space surrounded by buildings of heritage value. In the center there is a water fountain and the monument to the independence of Bolivia. On one side of the square is the Potosí Cathedral, an impressive baroque style church built in the 18th century.

There are also several important historical buildings around the square, including the Government Palace and the Casa de la Moneda, where Spanish coins were minted during colonial times. If you have the opportunity to visit it on market days and festivals, it is usually a very busy and lively place. Street vendors offer their goods and services, and the plaza is a popular location for community gatherings and events.

As seen in the photo, to the right of Plaza 10 deNovember there is another space that is Plaza 6 de Agosto. It is surrounded by arches with an obelisk that commemorates the heroes of independence.

The Cathedral of Potosí

The Bolivian city of Potosí is considered the cradle of the Andean Baroque and there are many examples of good architecture that the city preserves. The Cathedral of the Imperial Villa of Potosí is a minor basilica with viceregal baroque style and neoclassical influence. Located, as we already said, on the Plaza 10 de Noviembre, it was built between the years 1808 to 1838 on the site where there was a church that collapsed in 1807.

The National Mint

It is an important historical and cultural site. It is a large colonial-style structure built in the 18th century, located in the historic center of the city of Potosí, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. The National Mint was founded in 1572 by order of King Philip II of Spain, to mint silver extracted from nearby mines. For more than two centuries, the National Mint was one of the main centers for minting silver coins in the world. The house has beautiful courtyards, exhibition halls, conference rooms and workshops where visitors can see ancient coin-minting techniques up close. You can also see collections of coins and other historical objects related to mining and coin minting in Bolivia.

El Cerro Rico

"If I had to pay you, Sancho," replied Don Quixote, "according to what the greatness and quality of this remedy deserves, the treasure of Venice, the mines of Potosí would be insufficient to pay you;..."

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

During the Spanish colonial era, Cerro Rico was one of the most important mining sites in the world and it is estimated that more than 60,000 tons of silver were extracted from its bowels.

Today, Cerro Rico remains an important mining site, although silver extraction has been significantly reduced due to the depletion of the most accessible deposits and the decline in metal prices. Mining activity focuses on the extraction of other minerals such as tin, zinc and lead. Mining exploitation in Cerro Rico has had a great impact on the environment and the health of the people who work in the mine. Mineral extraction is carried out in an artisanal and dangerous manner, and miners often work in precarious conditions and without adequate safety measures. Furthermore, air, water and soil pollution is a major problem in the area. Despite these challenges, Cerro Rico remains an important historical and tourist site in Bolivia, and you can visit it if you wish.

The Tower of the Company of Jesus

Also known as “Torre de la Iglesia de la Compañía”, it was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits, and is part of the Church of the Compañía de Jesús, which is an outstanding example of Andean baroque. The tower is located on the right side of the church façade and is one of the tallest in Bolivia, reaching a height of approximately 46 meters.

As we already told you, the Bolivian city of Potosí is considered the cradle of the Andean Baroque and the tower is an example of this style with a series of ornamental details, such as columns, niches and friezes carved in stone. At the top of the tower there is a bell tower with two bells and a dome with a cross on top. From the top of the tower you can have an impressive view of the city of Potosí, as well as the hills that surround the city.

Church of San Lorenzo de Carangas

This church and the church of Santa Bárbara, they were the first to be built in the city. It was in 1548, although a heavy snowfall meant that years later it had to be repaired. Its original name was replaced by San Lorenzo de Carangas, as it was intended for the worship of the Carangas people, and so when the current cathedral was built, it became a parish for the indigenous people. The façade of the temple has extensive decoration in which numerous figures stand out, such as mermaids with instruments.

Santa Teresa Museum

It is located in the old convent of Santa Teresa de Jesús, built in the 17th century. This museum is considered one of the most important in the city and has a wide collection of religious and colonial art, as well as objects and utensils from daily life from the colonial era in Bolivia.

The museum is divided into several sections, including a chapel with 18th-century wall paintings, an exhibition room for religious art, and an exhibition room for objects and tools used in daily life in colonial times. There is also a library with a collection of ancient books and manuscripts. It also features stunning architecture and decor, with beautiful artwork on the walls, ceilings, and altars. From its terrace, you can have a panoramic view of the city It is a very interesting place as it offers a wealth of information about the colonial and religious history of the region, as well as a unique experience of colonial architecture and art.

Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

Not everything is architectural heritage. Let’s see the natural side of the surroundings of Potosí. The Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, created in 1973, has an area of 715 thousand hectares where you can see volcanoes, geysers, lagoons, as well as native flora and fauna.

If you are stopping in Potosí, it is possible to reach the reserve by traveling with one of the daily buses that leave from the city. We already talked about this natural reserve when visiting the Uyuni desert because it is also close to the desert.

Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon)

It is a shallow, salty body of water dotted with islands of white borax. It occupies just over 6,000 hectares, and if you know it you cannot remain indifferent because of its colorful landscape. The lagoon is the home of Andean flamingos, migratory birds that number in the thousands in its mineral-rich waters.

Laguna Verde ( Green Lagoon)

It has an emerald green color due to the high mineral content of magnesium, calcium carbonate, lead and arsenic in its waters. It is also a great destination of great attraction since it is at the foot of the Licancabur volcano.

Geysers

They are in a small pot-shaped valley where there are several holes with fumaroles rising high and expanding everywhere. The columns of steam during the morning reach between ten and fifty meters.

Polques hot springs

They are found in the Chalvirí salt flat. You can arrive on your own or hire one of the tourist companies that provide packages through the Eduardo Abaroa Reserve and other tours that include a visit to the Polques Hot Springs. Nearby there is a restaurant and toilets. We recommend bringing food and warm clothing as the weather is cold.

The stone tree

It is an isolated rock formation that is much photographed and is located on the sand dunes of the Siloli plateau in the department of Potosí, about 18 kilometers north of Laguna Colorada. It has the shape of a stunted tree about 7 m high. Its shape, particularly the thin stem, is due to strong winds that transport sand and erode the soft sandstone.