Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in Bolivia. It was carved in stone by master indigenous artisans in the 16th century, but
the main structure wasn't completed until the bell towers were added in 1744. Inside are
two Melchor Pérez de Holguín paintings and handcrafted silverwork on the altar. The
church was renovated in 1987.
Iglesia de la Merced
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(cnr Hoyos & Millares; open for mass) Constructed between 1555 and 1687, the re-
stored Iglesia de la Merced has a carved pulpit, a gorgeous wooden ceiling and a beautiful
18th-century silver arch over the altarpiece.
CHURCH
Iglesia de San Martín
( 622-3682; cnr Hoyos & Almagro; admission B$10; 10am-noon & 3-6pm Mon-
Sat) The rather ordinary-looking Iglesia de San Martín was built in the 1600s and is today
run by the French Redemptionist Fathers. Inside is an art museum, with at least 30 paint-
ings beneath the choir depicting the Virgin Mary and the 12 Apostles. The Virgin on the
altarpiece wears clothing woven from silver threads. San Martín is outside the center and
is sometimes closed, so phone before traipsing out here.
CHURCH
Historic Buildings
Potosí's elaborate colonial architecture merits a stroll around the narrow streets to take in
the ornate doorways and facades, as well as the covered wooden balconies that overhang
the streets. Architecturally notable homes and monuments include the mustard-colored El
Cabildo Offline map Google map (Town Hall; Plaza 10 de Noviembre) , the pretty Casa de
las Tres Portadas Offline map Google map (Bolívar 1052) and the Arcos de Cobija
Offline map Google map (Arches of Cobija) on the street of the same name.
On Calle Junín, between Matos and Bolívar, is an especially lovely and elaborate
Portón Mestizo Offline map Google map (Junín) , a doorway flanked by twisted columns. It
once graced the home of the Marqués de Otavi, but now ushers patrons into the Banco
Nacional.
ARCHITECTURE
Calle Quijarro
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North of the Iglesia de San Agustín, Calle Qui- jarro narrows as it winds between a wealth
of colonial buildings, many with doorways graced by old family crests. It's thought that
ARCHITECTURE
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