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Square · Potosí, Potosí
Plaza 10 de Noviembre
Potosí's central square, with the neoclassical Cathedral, the Cabildo and large houses with balconies, near the baroque tower of the Compañía de Jesús, which serves as a viewpoint for the Cerro Rico.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Plaza 10 de Noviembre
The Plaza 10 de Noviembre is the center of Potosí and is named after the date in 1810 when the city joined the independence movement. It has gardens, benches and the statue of Liberty in the center, and surrounding it are the Cathedral, the old Cabildo, now the city hall, and large houses with wooden balconies.
The Cathedral, on the south side, was built in a neoclassical style between 1808 and 1838, on the site of a colonial church that collapsed. The interior has gilded altars and paintings of the Potosí school, and the tower is open to visitors at certain times, offering views over the square and the Cerro Rico.
One block from the square, on Ayacucho street, is the tower of the Compañía de Jesús, from 1707, with a mestizo baroque façade of carved stone, featuring columns, flowers and figures. The tower serves as a viewpoint, and from the top you can see the center, the rooftops and the reddish cone of the Cerro Rico. Nearby, the church of San Lorenzo de Carangas has a mestizo baroque portal with mermaids and Andean figures, one of the most famous in Bolivia.
The streets around the square, like Quijarro, preserve colonial mansions with wooden doors and closed balconies. At altitude, walk slowly.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 to 2 hours for the square, the Cathedral and the Compañía tower.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, with light on the Cerro Rico, to climb the Compañía tower. Confirm visiting hours for the Cathedral and the tower.
How to get there
It is the center of Potosí, one block from the Casa Nacional de Moneda and a few minutes' walk from the central hotels. From the Bus Terminal it's a 3 km taxi ride.
Tip
Climb the Compañía de Jesús tower for the best view of the Cerro Rico over the rooftops. Then walk to the church of San Lorenzo to see the carved portal.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Plaza 10 de Noviembre
Where is the best place to see Cerro Rico from?
From the top of the tower of the Compañía de Jesús, one block from the square, and from the tower of the Catedral, when it’s open.
Why is the square called 10 de Noviembre?
For the date in 1810 when Potosí joined the independence movement.
What is the church of San Lorenzo?
A colonial church near the square with a mestizo Baroque portal carved in stone, with mermaids and Andean figures.