Within the Southwestern reaches of Bolivia lie’s a city once hailed as the Pearl of the Spanish Crown.
At 4090 meters in elevation Potosi is one of the highest cities in the world and at one point one of the largest cities on Earth.
Best known for its historical importance for silver mining amongst other materials of significant value Potosi still sits proudly as the world’s largest silver deposit. Legend tells of the Incan Emperor Huayan Kapac intending to exploit Cerro Rico’s silver and sent a large team of miners to do so. As they began to dig they heard a supernatural voice from within the mountain ordering them to leave the mountain intact. It is said by those who witnessed that the voice instructed that the silver was not for them but destined for others. The ‘others’ would later arrive with pale skin decades later. I wonder if the ‘voice’ had a Spanish accent?! Today tours can be taken through Bolivia’s Tin Belt and a trek through two of the four highest mountains in the Andes. Myth and legend are never far from the lips of those set to guide you through your enchanting and breathtaking adventure through Potosi and tales of romance and horror surrounding the Sajama Volcano will leave you on the edge of your seat and longing for more.
