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History and legend:
According to myth the Incan king Huayna Capac had ordered the mining of
the mountain but just as his people were preparing to dig they heard a
thunderous noise and a voice ordering them to stop and leave the silver
for other 'masters'. One theory for the town name derives from this
legend as Potocsi in aymara means 'great thunderous noise'.
In the time of the conquistadors the silver was rediscovered by the
shepherd Diego Huallpa who sought shelter for the night on the slopes
of the Sumaj Orcko (quechua for Majestic Mountain). He had built a fire
to warm himself but soon discovered
silver melting in it's heat. From then on the hill would be known as Cerro Rico. |
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