Potosí wasn't the nicest place to visit - at 4,100m the air is thin which is exacerbated further by the 50 year old buses and taxis puffing out fumes constantly (our COVID masks came out for the first time in a few years!)
It shows some of the worst colonial effects in the world. The silver mine there (which we chose not to visit) has been a graveyard for millions of miners/slaves over the centuries. The silver trade resulted in 16th century Potosi having a population of over 200,000! It produced 60% of worldwide silver (helping Spain's treasury nicely). Since then the silver dried out and the city is now incredibly poor.
We did visit the mint (Casa de Moneda) where they manufactured the silver into coins. No longer in use as they can't afford to run the mint.Read more
TravelerYes I read that it's still very dangerous for miners - and also not great for tourists so probably a good job you didn't go!
Feb 28–Mar 1, 2024 in Bolivia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
TravelerYes I read that it's still very dangerous for miners - and also not great for tourists so probably a good job you didn't go!