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Sightseeing in Bolivia

Potosi

During the colonial time, the silver extraction in the Cerro Rico of Potosi, transformed this city into the biggest in America with more than 160,000 inhabitants; then, everything was opulence and exquisite churches and elegant mansions were built and conspicuous architects and celebrated artists arrived.

People say that with the silver extracted from the bowel of the Cerro Rico or Sumaj Orcko (majestic mountain), it could have been possible to build a gigantic bridge to connect Potosi with Madrid; but, they also say that this fabulous work could have been made with the bodies of the enslaved indians that died in the tunnels.

In 1553, the city of Potosi -capital of the department of the same name in the Southwest of Bolivia- received the title of imperial city on behalf of Carlos V, King of Spain. At that moment of the history it was difficult to foresee the decline of the splendid village that at the present time, preserve only a few gleams of its splendid past.

Credit: Enjoy Bolivia