Potosi City - Bolivia

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization has recognized Potosi City of Bolivia as a World Cultural Heritage listed in the list of endangered heritage.

In fact, this new heritage has been included in the list of endangered heritage at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee held last June. Earlier, this legacy ranked in the list of world cultural heritage.

Potosi city of Bolivia was founded in 1545. From the very beginning, Potosi soon became a city rich with abundant mineral resources here. Located on the high mountains, in which silver and tin statues of high mass, the city of Potosi is therefore called " vault ". The largest rock in this area is Cerro Rico , which is also the mountain with the largest amount of ore mined since the founding of Potosi so far. According to calculations, up to 45,000 pure silver coins were exploited at Cerro Rico mountain in Potosi between 1556 and 1783. More than 9,000 tons of them were shipped to Spain. Due to the high profitability, the exploitation of silver ore has been increasingly expanded, resulting in a drop in the height of the mountain and the impact on the surrounding area.

However, the mining of ore here is still conducted and there is no interruption time or signs of reduction. By 1800, silver mines were depleted, people turned to tin mining and continued to dig in the rocky mountains of the city.

Images of mining areas and residential areas around the mining area in the city of Potosi in Bolivia.

In the 16th century, the city of Potosi with ore mining areas was considered to be the largest industrial park in the world. The wealth of the city is also expressed through many valuable buildings that some of them still exist.

In 1987, the complex of buildings in the city of Potosi included: Industrial monuments on Cerro Rico Mountain, San Lorenzo Church, Some of the nobles' mansions, The housing quarters of mine workers . were Unesco recognized as a World Cultural Heritage. In addition to the title Unesco recognizes, Potosi is also known as one of the eight highest cities in the world. Potosi has an average height of more than 4,000 above sea level because it is formed on mountain ranges.

For Unesco 's recognized World Heritage sites, it is necessary to commit to the Heritage Convention in 1972 , whereby the countries that own the heritage are responsible for preserving and promoting heritage values. However, since being recognized, the exploitation of Potosi ore has not decreased. This has affected the overall landscape of the whole area, and is a threat to the remaining monuments today. The most serious thing is the risk of collapse of the Cerro Rico mountain being filled up beyond the allowed limit.

Unesco had warnings with the Bolivian government as well as the Potosi city government but this situation remains unchanged or shows signs of remission. Therefore, on the third meeting at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee, Unesco decided to place the City of Potosi on the List of endangered heritage . This is a move to call for help from the international community in heritage conservation as well as a reminder to the country that owns the heritage. Normally, according to Unesco's regulations, the legacy of being listed as a dangerous country must be committed to implementing legacy protection measures against threats. After 5 years, Unesco will conduct the evaluation of the results of the national price, if it does not meet the requirements, the Heritage will be revoked the title.

The city center area with ancient buildings built from the 16th and 17th centuries remains to date.

The city of Potosi in Bolivia is recognized as a world cultural heritage by Unesco according to criteria (ii), (iv) (vi). Although it has been included in the list of endangered heritage, the mining sign in this legacy has not diminished. In August, during the mining process, workers accidentally discovered human bones. As you continue to deepen a collective body with nearly 500 skeletons have been found. This immediately received the attention of public opinion, especially archaeologists around the world. There are many theories that have been put forward: the possibility of a certain historical event happening here that has no answer now, may well be the remains of ancient mining workers buried because of pit collapse. Although there has not been an exact answer to this collective grave, this has increased the attractiveness, mystery and importance of this special legacy in Bolivia.