Overview:

Located in the historic mining city of Oruro in Bolivia, Santuario del Socavón is a museum and cultural center celebrating the history and diversity of the region’s mining industry. The museum features displays of artifacts from the boomtown’s heyday, allowing visitors to explore the rich mineral deposits of the region. The museum also hosts a variety of cultural activities, such as theatrical performances, music recitals, and art exhibitions, all highlighting the importance of the mining industry to Bolivia’s heritage and identity. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bolivia
Prominent Features:

• Located in Bolivian city of Oruro, the Santuario del Socavón is a celebrated pilgrimage site. • It was built in the late 18th century and is renowned for its holy and tranquil atmosphere. • Each year, thousands of devotees pilgrimage to the sanctuary and take part in religious rituals at the entrance. • The sanctuary consists of a chapel adorned with golden altar, several shrines, and a massive set of stairs. • Each of the stairs leads to a different level of prayer and devotion. • Apart from its religious significance, the sanctuary also offers spectacular views of the city of Oruro. • There are also several restaurants and cafes where visitors can taste traditional Bolivian cuisine. • Additionally, the sanctuary also features some of the best artifacts from the Pre-Columbian era. • Due to its religious importance, the Santuario del Socavón has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national monument of Bolivia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Santuario del Socavón is an underground attraction located near Oruro in Bolivia. It is a complex network of tunnels and subterranean chambers built by miners during the colonial period to exploit mineral resources in the region. The site has become an important tourist destination since its rediscovery in the 1960s. The origin of the Santuario del Socavón dates back to the colonial period in the mid-17th century. The first tunnel was built by Spanish colonist Francisco de Avitia to exploit plentiful mineral wealth in the area. Avitia built seven tunnels and a system of ladders and tunnels more than 10 kilometres in length in an effort to reach the highest quality ore reserves. The efforts were successful and in 1754, the mine was producing more than 17 tons of silver annually. Since its rediscovery in the 1960s, the Santuario del Socavón has become a popular tourist attraction. The tunnels and chambers have been maintained to allow visitors to explore the mining history of the region. The site now includes a museum, restaurant, art gallery, and a range of other amenities. The Santuario del Socavón is now a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and has become a popular destination for tourists visiting Bolivia. The tourist attraction provides visitors with a unique insight into the mining history, culture, and heritage of the region. You must visit one of these historical places in Bolivia on your Bolivia tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Santuario del Socavón is a Catholic Church located in the city of Oruro in Bolivia. 2. The site was originally a silver mine, called the "Casa de Huancavelica", built in 1718 by the Spanish in order to exploit the silver found beneath the city. 3. The mine later became known as the "Sanctuary of the Mine-Archangel" and was still in use until the 1970s. 4. In 1987 the mine was declared a national sanctuary by the Bolivian government and in 2006 it was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 5. The altar of the sanctuary is an impressive work of art, consisting of 12 ornately carved wooden statues of angels, saints, patrons of miners and mythical beings. 6. It is the only mine in in the world with a chapel. 7. The site is popular with devotees, who come in pilgrimage to honor the blessed Virgen del Socavón. 8. A large festival is held at the site every year in March to commemorate the Virgen del Socavón. 9. Every Easter, a procession of over 4,000 miners take part in a procession through the city, in honour of the Virgen del Socavon. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bolivia with your friends and family.