City of Potosí

World Heritage

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

🎧 Listen to Introduction

In the 16th century, the area was considered the world's largest industrial complex. The mining of silver ore depended on a series of water-powered mills. The site includes the industrial monument of Cerro Rico, where water was supplied by a complex system of aqueducts and artificial lakes; the colonial town with the Casa de la Moneda; the Church of San Lorenzo; several noble houses; and the barrios mitayos, where the workers lived.