Potosi was founded in 1545 following the discovery of silver in the Cerro Rico. The city soon blossomed and during the 18th century it became the largest and wealthiest city of South-America. In the early 19th century the silver production began to wane, and the city lost most of its importance. If it had not been for the discovery of Tin, it might have been a complete ghost town by now.
For the traveler Potosi is still quite an important place to go, mainly because of its architecture form the colonial heydays. The Casa Real de la Moneda is the star attraction here, but there are many churches and mansions worth visiting.
Potosi is the world's highest city, with a location at an altitude of more than 4000 meters; walking the streets of the city can be a tough job. The UNESCO named the city of Potosi a Cultural patrimony of humanity.
