Cultural
Ville de Potosí
Bolivie
Photo : Parallelepiped09 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Located in the Andes mountains of Bolivia, Potosí is a colonial city that emerged as a major urban center following the discovery of silver deposits in the nearby Cerro Rico mountain during the 16th century. The city's development was directly linked to mineral extraction, which generated substantial wealth and attracted a diverse population of Spanish settlers, indigenous workers, and enslaved people. Its urban layout and architecture reflect the Spanish colonial period, featuring a grid pattern of streets with numerous churches, convents, and civil buildings constructed in styles ranging from Renaissance to Baroque. The historic city center preserves numerous structures that testify to Potosí's former economic importance and its role as one of the largest cities in the Americas during the colonial era. The site's cultural significance derives from its architectural heritage and its historical importance as a center of colonial commerce and administration in South America.
