For the past 25 years, the only visible remnant of Potosi was the top of a church steeple.
Potosí is a city and the capital of the department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is claimed to be the highest cityin the world at a nominal 4,090 m (13,420 feet). It lies beneath the Cerro de Potosí — sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico ("rich mountain") — a mountain popularly conceived of as being "made of"silver ore, which has always dominated the city. The Cerro Rico is the reason for Potosi's historical importance, since it was the major supply of silver for the Spanish Empire. Cerro de Potosí's peak is 4,824 meters (15,827 feet) above sea level.
