'''Potosi''' is, at around 4000 meter, the worlds highest city. It's located in the Potosi Department of Bolivia.
Understand
Potosi was founded in 1546 after the discovery of the rich silver deposits in the ''Cerro Rico''. It soon became one of the wealthiest and largest cites in the Americas. The mines of the Cerro Rico are the richest mines in all of world history and may have produced 60,000 tons of silver. The name Potosi was adopted by San Luis de Potosi in Mexico to reflect their hopes for equal riches. It is reputed that at one time mules were shoed with silver due to the difficulty of getting supplies of iron to the city. Some of this wealth was used to build magnificent baroque churches (UNESCO listed sites) and monasteries. Millions of indigenous labourers and African slaves perished in mines in the three centuries of colonial rule. Estimates range from 2 million at the low end to 8 million at the upper end. The miners were often below ground for weeks at a time. In 1800 the silver mines were depleted and tin became the major ore mined. Recently they are mining rare earths. All of this lead to a slow economic decline.
The wealthy history of Potosi is still reflected in the narrow streets, colonial mansions and the many churches, which makes the city a UNESCO World Heritage List
Get in
From the bus terminal it's a 30 minute walk uphill to the city center. You can catch a bus Bs 1,20, or a shared cab Bs 3,50.
There are several daily buses from Oruro (about 6 hours).
There are hourly connections with Sucre (3 hours, 17 Bs).
Morning and evening buses to Tupiza (7-8 hours, Bs 30).
Collective cabs that travel slightly quicker than the buses can also be arranged to Sucre (35 Bs) and Oruru (120 Bs). These leave when full and are a godsend during bus strikes.
From Sucre it is worth hiring a cab for 2 or more people as the trip is faster and more comfortable than one on a collective cab or a bus, and the cab leaves at your schedule.
Get around
Taxis are generally cheap and plentiful around Potosi. However, always check the price with the driver. Some charge per person which could get you into arguements when it comes time to pay.
See
'''Casa Nacional de Moneda''', Cl. Ayacocha s/n, is de former royal mint, but now houses one of the better museums in South America. A visit is by guided tour (English and French if there is enough demand) which takes about 2~3 hours. The museum has a collection of religous art, contempary art,and artifacts from it's time as mint. Entrance is Bs. 20 for foreigners and Bs. 10 for Bolivians.
Convento de Santa Teresa. alle Chichas. ottom end of Calle Ayacucho. s 21. Tours (in Spanish only) give a good explanation of the life and work of the Carmelite nuns and their monastry. Very little flagellation (LP).
Compania de Jesus. alle Ayaucho. alf a block from the square. 0 Bs. Nice views of the surroundings from above. A guide will explain.
Do
A visit to Potosi isn't complete without a visit to one of the cooperative mines. It's a shocking experience as the methods of working haven't changed much since the colonial times. Working conditions are terrible: most miners die of silicosis in their forties. Still, many people don't have another choice and around 10,000 people work in the mines. A tour starts with a visit to the miners' market to buy gifts for the miners like coca leaves, cigarettes or dynamite. A typical visit will have you walking and crawling through the mine for about 2~3 hours. You can talk, take photographs and share your gifts with the miners.
Taking a tour of one of the cooperative mines is still a good way to get a sense of the social price paid for the mineral wealth of the few. The dust is supposed to contain silicon that leads to silicosis (wear a disposable mask!) among the miners. Water dropping from the walls and ceiling is said to contain arsenic and cyanide. You can see asbestos fibers in the rock walls. Many of the mine props are snapped and on my tour in 2003 there was a minor ceiling cave-in that forced us to wait a bit before being able to exit the mine. One very interesting aspect of the mine was the little side chamber near the entrance to the mine that contained a statue of "El Tio," a diabolic figure that the miners make offerings to. They say that God may rule aboveground, but that El Tio is in charge down below.
There are many tour agencies in Potosi offering this tour, shop around before buying. The price is around 100bs for koala tours. Koala Tours, one of the oldest tour agencies, offers the tour for this price, for example. Koala Tours allow you to let off your own stick of dynamite on request!
Hostal La Casona Potosi also offers safe visits to Cerro Rico.
Buy
Eat
The cheapest meals can be found in the '''Mercado Central'''.
Sky Room. irador. alle Bolivar 701, 3rd floor. 22 0138. course lunch Bs 12. Nice view of Cerro Rico
'''Sumaj Orcko''', Cl. Cobija 34, serves big plates (30-35 Bs), also a good place for lunch (15 Bs).
'''Chifa Rosa''', Cl. Cobija 38, cheap but not special chinese food.
'''Pasteleria Cherrys''', Padillo 8, for pastels and breakfast.
Drink
'''Cine de Universidad''', Bolivar 893, for Hollywood movies.
Sleep
La Casona Hostal Potosi. a Casona Hostal Potosi, Bolivia. alle Chuquisaca 460. 00m from main plaza. 02)6230523. asona@boliviahostels.com. 02)6230523. ttp://www.HotelPotosi.com. 1:00. 0:30. orms and Private rooms with breakfast 29 Bs pp - 61 Bs pp.. Big and clean rooms, Book exchange, ADSL internet (wiFi in Lobby), laundry service, Kitchen, gas powered hot showers, safe tours to Potosi Silver Mines. From September 2008 all rooms with central heating.
'''Koala Den''', Junin 56, 4 blocks from the square, (02)6226467 (ktour_potosi@hotmail.com). Has heating in the rooms! Book exchange, slow internet. Dorm bed with breakfast 35-45 Bs. Also doubles and triples.
'''Residencial Felcar''', Av Serrudo esq. Bustillos 345, (02)6224966. Another favorite spot by travellers. It has a nice, sunny patio and hot showers from 8am to 10pm. Some of the singles are tiny. Single Bs25.
'''Hotel Jerusalem''' with beautiful views over Potosi from breakfast room and from roof top.
Get out
'''SWISS BOLIVIAN ADVENTURES''' Can arrange tours and flights covering the whole of Bolivia and beyond. They offer an excellent tour of Potosi '''Casa Nacional de Moneda''' and the '''Cerro Rico Mines.''' The English speaking staff are very helpfull. Check out this mine video http://www.youtube.com/SBAdventures
Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz esquina Socabaya
Handal Center - Planta Baja, Oficina 6 http://andes-bolivia.ch
La Paz - Bolivia Phone - Fax: Int: 0-591-2-2406470 Mobil: 591 - 715-50249 Po. Box: 7184