Exploring Bolivia's Off-Beat Gem: Oruro's Unique Appeal

Oruro is a city in west-central Bolivia, located at an altitude of 3,700 metres above sea level in the Altiplano region. It is known for its mining industry, colourful pre-Lenten Carnival, and unique cultural attractions. The city has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1606 as a centre for silver mining during the Spanish colonial period. While the decline of silver mining led to a period of abandonment, Oruro regained its prosperity in the 19th century with the development of tin mining, which remains a key industry today. The city also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with its famous Carnival, museums, and religious sites attracting tourists from around the world.

Oruro's mining industry

Oruro, Bolivia, has been subject to economic cycles of boom and bust due to its historical dependence on the mining industry. The city was founded in 1606 as a silver-mining centre in the Urus region. It thrived during the Spanish colonial period, but went into decline in the 19th century as silver production slowed.

In the late 19th century, Oruro was re-established as a tin mining hub, and for a time, the La Salvadora tin mine was the most important source of tin globally. The city's economy is still largely based on mining, with tin, tungsten, silver and copper as its primary resources.

Mining has been a dominant feature of Bolivia's economy and politics since 1557. The industry has experienced crises, such as the international tin market crash in 1985, which led to massive layoffs of miners. However, the mining sector has also seen periods of recovery and expansion, and the government has played an active role in nationalising mining facilities.

Oruro is home to the Vinto Smelting and Metallurgica Company, a tin smelting facility privatised in 1999 but re-nationalised in 2007. The city also possesses a technical university, established in 1892, and a refinery that processes a significant portion of the country's tin.

Oruro Carnival

The Oruro Carnival, or Carnaval de Oruro, is a religious and cultural festival held annually in Oruro, Bolivia. It is one of the largest cultural events in Latin America and has been recognised by UNESCO as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". The carnival is a blend of Catholic and indigenous rituals, with Christian ideas of the Virgin and the Devil intertwining with indigenous concepts of Pachamama and Tio Supay.

The carnival is held as a sign of devotion to the Virgin of Socavon, also known as the Virgen de la Candelaria or Virgen del Socavon (Virgin of the Mineshaft). According to legend, a mural of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared in a mineshaft in Oruro in 1756, and the carnival has been observed since then in her honour. The most important events of the carnival take place in and around the Sanctuaria del Socavon (Church of the Mineshaft).

The Oruro Carnival features spectacular folk dances, extravagant costumes, crafts, and lively music. Over 20,000 dancers, 10,000 musicians in 150 bands, and 400,000 visitors participate in the festivities, which last for up to 20 hours of continuous partying. The dances and costumes depict various characters and symbols, including devils, animals, Inca rulers, and slave drivers.

The carnival starts with a ceremony dedicated to the Virgen del Socavon, followed by marching bands competing in the grotto of Pie de Gallo on Sunday. The highlight of the festival is the three-day-and-three-night parade of folk dancers and bands over a four-kilometer route to the sanctuary of the tunnel. The parade is led by a colourful representation of Archangel San Miguel, followed by iconic devils, bears, pumas, monkeys, and condors—all symbols of Uru mythology.

The Oruro Carnival is a unique and memorable experience, attracting tourists from all over the world. It showcases the rich cultural history and diversity of Oruro and Bolivia, making it a natural setting for demonstrating the country's multiculturalism.

Tourist attractions

Oruro is a captivating city renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscape. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in the area:

• Sajama National Park: Located to the northwest of Oruro, this national park features the snow-covered Sajama Mountain, altoandinas lagoons, thermal waters, and Andean routes. It is home to some of the highest mountains in Bolivia.
• Oruro Carnival: Held as a sign of devotion to the Virgin of Socavon, this carnival is one of the largest cultural events in Bolivia and Latin America. It features colourful parades, traditional dances, music, and intricate costumes.
• Sanctuary of Socavon: A religious temple of special devotion for the inhabitants of Oruro, where the Candlemas Virgin is worshipped. The Oruro Carnival is held in her honour.
• Lighthouse of Conchupata: A national monument that offers a panoramic view of the city of Oruro. It is also the place where the current Bolivian national emblem was first hoisted in 1851.
• San Miguel de la Rancheria Church: One of the oldest churches in Oruro, it houses paintings and sculptures of enormous sacred value.
• La Portada del Beaterio: A stone-sculpted pilgrimage centre dedicated to its founder, Sister Nazaria March, who was beatified in 1993. It has a convent with a small museum that displays her belongings.
• Yarvicoya Church: A few kilometres from Oruro, this church is a remarkable example of mestizo Baroque art and has been declared a national monument.
• San Jose Mine: Located 5 kilometres from downtown Oruro, this mine was a source of silver, lead, and tin, playing an important role in Bolivia's economy.
• Salar de Coipasa: Bolivia's second-largest salt flat, located in the colourful Altiplano region near the Chilean border.
• Lake Poopo: About 65 kilometres from Oruro, this lake is known for the island of Panza, a popular place for hunting and fishing.
• Paria: The first town in the region founded by Spanish conquerors, featuring a remarkable stone temple in the mestizo style.
• Museo Mineralógico (Mineralogical Museum): Showcases exhibits of precious stones, minerals, and fossils.
• Museo Etnográfico Minero (Ethnographical Mining Museum): Housed in a mine tunnel, this museum depicts traditional methods of Bolivian mining.
• Museo Nacional Antropológico Eduardo López Rivas (National Anthropological Museum): Displays tools and information about the indigenous Chipaya and Uru tribes, as well as the Oruro Carnival.

History and culture

The city of Oruro, Bolivia, has a rich history and cultural heritage that dates back to ancient times. Known as Jururu (Uru Uru) in ancient times, the area was a significant religious pilgrimage centre for the Andean world. Pilgrims would travel to the "Sacred Mountain of the Urus" to invoke protective deities, including Jamp'atu Qullu (hill toad), Argentillo Arankani (hill lizard), Quwak (viper), the condor, and Wakallusta, to name a few.

Following the expansion of the Incan Empire into the region, the culture evolved with the inclusion of new deities, such as the evil demigod WariDesam and the sacred demigod Apus waka. This integration reflects the region's complex religious and cultural landscape.

Oruro, officially founded on November 1, 1606, by Don Manuel Castro de Padilla, was established as a silver-mining centre in the Urus region during the Spanish colonial period. Named Real Villa de San Felipe de Austria after the Spanish monarch Philip III, the city thrived as a centre of silver mining. However, as silver production declined in the 19th century, Oruro lost its prominence.

In the late 19th century, European Bolivians re-established Oruro as a tin mining centre, and it once again flourished. The La Salvadora tin mine became the most important source of tin globally, and Oruro regained its status as one of Bolivia's most prosperous cities.

Despite the economic fluctuations, Oruro has a vibrant culture that attracts tourists from around the world. The city is renowned for its colourful pre-Lenten Carnival, a religious and cultural festival celebrated since the 18th century. The festival blends indigenous traditions and Christian rituals, honouring the Virgen del Socavón ("Virgin of the Mineshaft"). This carnival is recognised as one of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The city boasts several museums, including the Casa del Minero/Museo de la Minería in Huanuni, which showcases the history and culture of mining in Bolivia. The Museo Nacional de Arqueología in Oruro displays artefacts and exhibits related to the pre-Columbian history of Bolivia. The city also has several notable churches, such as the Santuario de la Virgen del Socavon, the Catedral de Oruro, and the Iglesia de la Candelaria, which are popular among religious and historical tourists.

Food and drink

Oruro, Bolivia, is known for its traditional Bolivian dishes, including meat, rice, potatoes, and chicken. The city's restaurants offer a range of options, from simple set meals to a la carte dishes. While ordinary restaurants may not cater extensively to vegetarians, popular tourist spots usually offer international cuisine and vegetarian-friendly options.

Local Specialities

Oruro's local dishes include the Pique, a filling meal of meat, sausage, boiled eggs, gravy, peppers, and onions served over french fries. The city is also known for its pizzas, with several restaurants offering good pizza at reasonable prices.

Street Food

Street food in Oruro includes empanadas, salteñas, and tucumanas—pasties filled with meat, chicken, or cheese and either baked or fried. Salteñas, named after the city of Salta in Argentina, are particularly popular and are often sold from street stalls.

Drinks

Regarding drinks, refrescos (fizzy drinks) are common in Bolivia, including international brands like Coca-Cola. Freshly blended fruit juices are also widely available, and high-altitude Yungas coffee can be found in many new cafes. For something stronger, beer is available almost everywhere and is consumed in large quantities during fiestas. The city of Oruro is also home to several breweries, producing German lager-style beers.

Frequently asked questions