Potosí Sights

  1. Arcos de Cobija

    Potosí's elaborate colonial architecture merits a stroll around the narrow streets to take in the ornate doorways and façades, as well as the covered wooden balconies that overhang the streets. Architecturally notable are the Arcos de Cobija on the street of the same name.

    Read more about Arcos de Cobija

  2. Artesanías Palomita's

    Artesanías Palomita's is half shop, half museum and features costumes and weavings from each of the 16 provinces of Potosí department.

    Read more about Artesanías Palomita's

  3. Calle Quijarro

    North of the Iglesia de San Agustín, Calle Quijarro narrows as it winds between a wealth of colonial buildings, many with doorways graced by old family crests. It's thought that the bends in Calle Quijarro were an intentional attempt to inhibit the cold winds that would otherwise whistle through and chill everything in their path. This concept is carried to extremes on the Pasaje de Siete Vueltas - 'the passage of seven turns'.

    Read more about Calle Quijarro

  4. Casa de las Tres Portadas

    Potosí's elaborate colonial architecture merits a stroll around the narrow streets to take in the ornate doorways and façades, as well as the covered wooden balconies that overhang the streets. The pretty Casa de las Tres Portadas is an architecturally notable home.

    Read more about Casa de las Tres Portadas

  5. Casa Nacional de Moneda

    The Casa Nacional de Moneda is Potosí's star attraction and one of South America's finest museums. Potosí's first mint was constructed on the present site of the Casa de Justicia in 1572 under orders from the Viceroy of Toledo. This, its replacement, is a vast, elegant, and strikingly beautiful building that takes up a whole city block. It was built between 1753 and 1773 to control the minting of colonial coins.

    Read more about Casa Nacional de Moneda

  7. Cooperative Mines

    A visit to the Cooperative Mines will almost surely be one of the most memorable experiences you'll have in Bolivia, providing an opportunity to witness working conditions that are among the most grueling imaginable. You may be left stunned and/or ill.In the cooperative mines on Cerro Rico, all work is done with primitive tools, and underground temperatures vary from below freezing - the altitude is over 4200m - to a stifling 45°C on the fourth and fifth levels.

    Read more about Cooperative Mines

  8. El Cabildo

    Potosí's elaborate colonial architecture merits a stroll around the narrow streets to take in the ornate doorways and façades, as well as the covered wooden balconies that overhang the streets. Architecturally notable is El Cabildo on Plaza 10 de Noviembre.

    Read more about El Cabildo

  9. Iglesia de La Merced

    Restored Iglesia de La Merced is lovely, with its carved pulpit and a beautiful 18th-century silver arch over the altarpiece. It was constructed between 1555 and 1687.

    Read more about Iglesia de La Merced

  10. Iglesia de San Agustín

    Iglesia de San Agustín, with its elegant Renaissance doorway, is known for its eerie underground crypts and catacombs. At time of research, it was being equipped to open for the public.

    Read more about Iglesia de San Agustín

  11. Iglesia de San Benito

    Building began on the Iglesia de San Benito in 1711 and it's laid out in the form of a Latin cross and features Byzantine domes and a distinctive mestizo doorway.

    Read more about Iglesia de San Benito

  12. Advertisement

  13. Iglesia de San Bernardo

    The former church and convent of Iglesia de San Bernardo is most notable for its spectacular façade of un-dressed boulders. The cavernous interior now houses a Spanish-sponsored school of art restoration.

    Read more about Iglesia de San Bernardo

  14. Iglesia de San Juan de Dios

    Iglesia de San Juan de Dios has stood since the 1600s despite its adobe construction.

    Read more about Iglesia de San Juan de Dios

  15. Iglesia de San Lorenzo de Carangas

    The ornate Baroque mestizo portal of Iglesia de San Lorenzo de Carangas is probably one of the most photographed subjects in Bolivia. It was carved in stone by master Indian artisans in the 16th century, but the main structure wasn't completed until the bell towers were added in 1744. Inside are two Holguín paintings and handcrafted silverwork on the altar. The church was renovated in 1987.

    Read more about Iglesia de San Lorenzo de Carangas

  16. Iglesia de San Martín

    The rather ordinary-looking Iglesia de San Martín was built in the 1600s and is today run by the French Redemptionist Fathers. Inside is an art museum, with at least 30 paintings beneath the choir depicting the Virgin Mary and the 12 Apostles. The Virgin on the altarpiece wears clothing woven from silver threads. However, San Martín is outside the town center and is sometimes closed, so phone before traipsing out there.

    Read more about Iglesia de San Martín

  17. Iglesia de Santo Domingo

    The recently renovated Iglesia de Santo Domingo contains an ornate portal, an unusual paneled ceiling and one of the eight original panels from the life of Santa Rosa de Lima, by Juan Díaz and Juan Francisco de la Puente. As well, there are other colonial paintings and sculptures located here. To gain admission to the church, visit on Sunday prior to the Mass.

    Read more about Iglesia de Santo Domingo

  19. Ingenio Dolores

    On the banks (la ribera) of the Río Huana Mayu, in the upper Potosí barrios of Cantumarca and San Antonio, are some fine ruined examples of the ingenios , or smelters. These were formerly used to extract silver from the ore hauled out of Cerro Rico. There were originally 82 ingenios along 15km of the stream. Some remaining ones date back to the 1570s and were in use until the mid-1800s.

    Read more about Ingenio Dolores

  20. Ingenio San Marcos

    On the banks (la ribera) of the Río Huana Mayu, in the upper Potosí barrios of Cantumarca and San Antonio, are some fine ruined examples of the ingenios , or smelters. These were formerly used to extract silver from the ore hauled out of Cerro Rico. There were originally 82 ingenios along 15km of the stream. Some remaining ones date back to the 1570s and were in use until the mid-1800s.

    Read more about Ingenio San Marcos

  21. La Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Jerusalén

    La Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Jerusalén is a little-known Potosí gem. Originally built as a humble chapel in honor of the Virgen de Candelaria, it was rebuilt more lavishly in the 18th century. It houses a fine gilt Baroque retablo - the Virgin has pride of place - and a magnificent series of paintings of Biblical scenes by anonymous artists of the Potosí school. The impressive pulpit has small paintings by Melchor Pérez de Holguín. Entry is by enthusiastic and well-informed guided tour.

    Read more about La Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Jerusalén

  22. La Catedral

    Construction of La Catedral was initiated in 1564 and finally completed around 1600. The original building lasted until the early 19th century, when it mostly collapsed. Most of what is now visible is the neoclassical construction, and the building's elegant lines represent one of Bolivia's best exemplars of that style.

    Read more about La Catedral

  23. Museo & Convento de San Francisco

    The Convento de San Francisco was founded in 1547 by Fray Gaspar de Valverde, making it the oldest monastery in Bolivia. Owing to its inadequate size, it was demolished in 1707 and reconstructed over the following 19 years. A gold-covered altar from this building is now housed in the Casa Nacional de la Moneda. The statue of Christ that graces the present altar features hair that is said to grow miraculously.

    Read more about Museo & Convento de San Francisco

  24. Advertisement

  25. Museo & Convento de Santa Teresa

    The fascinating Santa Teresa Convent was founded in 1685 and is still home to a small community of Carmelite nuns. One of them is an architect, and has directed a superb restoration project that has converted part of the sizeable building into a museum. The excellent guided tour (Spanish & English) explains how girls of fifteen from wealthy families entered the convent, getting their last glimpse of parents and loved ones at the door.

    Read more about Museo & Convento de Santa Teresa

  26. Museo de Plata Herzul

    A silversmith has set up his home workshop to accept visitors, and demonstrates every aspect of the craft, from forging to filigree. It's an interesting visit with plenty of chance to have a go yourself but it's wise to ring ahead to check that it's open. It's located in the Ciudad Satélite barrio a kilometer or so from the town centre. You can also buy some of his work.

    Read more about Museo de Plata Herzul

  27. Pary Orcko Tower

    This bizarre-looking observation tower makes a curious addition to the Potosí skyline. The viewing level revolves slowly and there's a restaurant here. It can't be denied that it's a great view! A bus heads to the tower on the hour from to (no bus at ) from in front of the Colegio Nacional 'Pichincha' on Plaza 6 de Agosto near the cathedral.

    Read more about Pary Orcko Tower

  28. Pasaje de Siete Vueltas

    It's thought that the bends in Calle Quijarro were an intentional attempt to inhibit the cold winds that would otherwise whistle through and chill everything in their path. This concept is carried to extremes on the Pasaje de Siete Vueltas - 'the passage of seven turns' - which is an extension of Calle Ingavi, east of Junín.

    Read more about Pasaje de Siete Vueltas

  29. Portón Mestizo

    Potosí's elaborate colonial architecture merits a stroll around the narrow streets to take in the ornate doorways and façades, as well as the covered wooden balconies that overhang the streets. On Calle Junín, between Matos and Bolívar, is an especially lovely and elaborate Portón Mestizo doorway, flanked by twisted columns. It once graced the home of the Marqués de Otavi, but now ushers patrons into the Banco Nacional.

    Read more about Portón Mestizo