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.

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  2. 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'.

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  3. 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.

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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.

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  7. 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.

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  8. 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.

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  9. Iglesia de San Juan de Dios

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

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  10. 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.

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  12. 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.

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  13. 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.

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  14. 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.

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  15. 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.

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  16. 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.

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  17. 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.

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  18. Rhythms of Life

    Australian artist Andrew Rogers, not content with sculpture on a conventional scale, has included Potosí as one of the sites for his fascinating global 'Rhythms of Life' project, where enormous, fluid, powerful, stone forms have been built in sites as diverse as Sri Lanka, Australia, and Israel.

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  19. Torre de la Compañía De Jesús

    The ornate and beautiful bell tower, on what remains of the former Jesuit church, was completed in 1707 after the collapse of the original church. Both the tower and the doorway are adorned with examples of Baroque mestizo ornamentation. The tourist office is in the same building.

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