Potosí

Potosí is a town whose history has been dictated by a single mountain which was lavished with precious metals. Because mining was needed for extracting these metals, it is steeped in sad history.

Mining started seriously in the 1500s by the Spanish. The single mountain was said to have given the expanding Spanish empire all of its silver for 300 years. The terrible conditions for the workers induced many cases of silicosis. When the indigenous people stated to refuse the conditions, the Spanish sent in black slaves from Africa. In total, this single hill has taken around 8 million lives.

Olly went to explore a working mine (they reckon there are only 15 years of mining remaining). En route, he discovered you can legally buy dynamite!

Meanwhile, Sophie headed to the rooftops for a view overlooking the full city. She also visited the mint, where Bolivian coins were made using ever-improving techniques for several centuries. Surprisingly, all currency is now made in Canada, Chile and France (which must make it rather expensive!)

Potosí tips:

• Visit the Mint, it is so much more interesting than expected, and housed in a great building
• Only visit the mine if you have read up about it before and understand the pros and cons

Rooftop city view

Christian artwork depicting the mountain as Mary

Manpower pushing rocks out of the mine

The mountain

The mountain

The mine visit