Potosi Center Touristic
Center Tourist in Potosi
- National House of the Coin
- The Second “ House of the Coin ”
- Republican Coining
- Portal or the Rampant Lions
- House of the Three Portals
- House of Francisco de la Rocha
- Square 10 of November ( Main Square )
- Cerro Rico de Potosi ( Rich Mountain )
Casa Nacional de la Moneda (National Mint House)
The Toledo Viceroy completed the construction of the “Casa de la Moneda”. In 1572 foundations were placed in the “Plaza del Regocijo” (Main Square known today as “Plaza 10 de Noviembre”), under the supervision of the mason and master builder from Potosi Jeronimo de Leto. This construction was completed in three years.
The second Mint House
150 years after the construction of the first Mint House and even though the production of silver from the “Cerro Rico” was going through a serious crisis, the Spanish Government decreed to begin the "re-release" of the highly coveted metal, and proceeded with the construction of a second Mint House, inaugurated on July 31, 1773.
Republican Coining
Upon the creation of the Republic of Bolivia in 1825, the administrative and monetary organization of the nation was organized. Well over two years after the creation of the republic, Spanish coins were still widely used, at which time the new Republican coins were introduced.
Portal or the Rampant Lions
The construction of this landmark dates back to the end of the XVIII century. In accordance to the typology of the portal, it can be assessed that this piece belonged to a Cacique (Indian Chieftain) a captain of the mines. The building was almost entirely remodeled in 1970, at that time a second body was added to it. In the interior there are a series of new constructions, which make it difficult to recognize the original structure.
Casa de las Tres Portadas (House of the Three Portals)
This construction is also known as “Las Recogidas” (The Cloistered Ones) which in the past it used to be a community house for lay sisters, most of whom were Natives, This religious construction belongs to the Franciscan Order. It basically consists of three portals, all of which have very original designs, it does not resemble any religious architecture; instead, it has very profuse and strange images of exquisite beauty.
The portals are made of brick and cover with lime, proof of the economic decline that the town, known as “The Imperial Village”, was going through during the XVIII century. Two of the portals include bases that have a door and a window, the third does not have a window, but it has a detailed tapestry in front of it that covers the entire floor.
Casa de Francisco de la Rocha (House of Francisco de la Rocha)
It presents a front with beautiful-symmetric designs. The portal itself may be the most interesting portion of the entire construction. The construction as a whole retains a certain mixed-breed style design.
Plaza 10 de Noviembre (Main Square)
The Main Square, also known as “Plaza del Regocijo” mostly because twice a year, since 1890, this is the site where the Carnival is celebrated, as well as other national holidays and in the past it was the place for bull fights; it was very common at that time for the Prefect (Chief Administrative Officer) to announce the number of bulls that he would be donating to the people.
Most of the buildings that surround the Main Square used to be Royal-Spanish constructions, such as the first “Casa de la Moneda”, the main church, the town hall and the “Empedradillo”.
Cerro Rico de Potosí (Rich Mountain)
One of the main tourists’ attractions of the city of Potosi is "Sumaj Orko", better known as “Cerro Rico”. From the depths of this amazing mountain, a huge amount of silver has been extracted relentlessly since 1545. The mine can be accessed through an elevator that takes visitors directly to various galleries where led-silver, zinc-silver and tin are extracted. Most of these galleries are at about 240 meters below the ground.
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