The journey to Potosi was past huge plains and rocky mountains to arrive there before midday. Nearing the town the condition of the road worsened, a slurry pit could be seen and the desecration of the old houses evident. Rubbish was everywhere together with wrecked mining gear, cars and all kinds of things. The old buildings were partially pulled down or had been left to fall down and it was a pity to see such interesting buildings in such a state. Being a Sunday most places in the town were closed.
Potosi, at 4070 metres altitude, is said to be the worlds highest city and was once the richest city in the world due to the silver that was mined there. It was founded in 1545 on the discovery of silver and by the end of the 18th century was the largest and wealthiest city in Latin America. Not only were the indigenous people put into slavery to service the mines but Africans were conscripted to work there as well with deaths in the millions occurring over the centuries.
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| Near Polosi |
After booking into the Hotel Jerusalem a walking tour was organised when the guide continually talked about the colonial times when the silver mines were flourishing and of the slavery put on the people by the Spanish conquerors. He told of the conditions in the mines and how his father and grandfather died of dust on the lungs and how he had spent five years in the mines but left to become a guide, teaching himself English to do so. Today, with the price of silver being low, men in the mines only earn up to $30 (£28) per eight hour day while those not in the mines earn on average $12 (£10) per day. There’s apparently about 50 years of silver left in the mine.
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| The city from the top of the hill |
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| Entrances to the drift mines |
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| The mining town part |
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| The old mine workings |
There was a lot of colonial architecture to be seen in the town which made it obvious how rich people were. Houses with balconies were the sign of wealth then and now are being repaired for the wealthy again. Each of the older house has the mark of the family who had the house built showing over the front door.
Street Scenes
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| Inside our hotel |
Being a Spanish town at one time there were a number of churches in the town as well.
Over the years the miners rose up against the Spanish and against their own government. There were a number of memorials around the town commemorating these uprisings.
Miners Memorials
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| Miners memorial (looks like the Statue of Liberty) |
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Walking around in the evening I counted 13 barber shops in a street no longer than 100 metres long and each one was full. They had special car like chairs for small children to sit in while having their hair cut. Carrying on walking I noticed families in clothes shops then realised all the business was because the following day was to be the start of school after a long holiday.
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