Uyuni

Cultural heritage in Uyuni

This collection highlights the industrial and architectural legacy of the Uyuni region. It features the famous Train Cemetery, where 19th-century steam locomotives rest on the edge of the salt flats, and the mining town of Pulacayo, home to historic locomotives and a colonial-style theater. In Colchani, specialized museums showcase salt extraction techniques, llama husbandry, and unique salt-block construction, providing insight into the traditional and modern livelihoods of the Altiplano.

Herr stahlhoefer / Public domain

Railroad Museum

An open-air site featuring dozens of rusting steam locomotives and rail cars dating back to the late 19th century. These trains once transported minerals from the Andes to Pacific ports before the industry collapsed in the 1940s.

Museo de Locomotoras Pulacayo

Located in the historic mining town of Pulacayo, this museum displays 19th-century steam engines, including the train reportedly held up by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Museo de la Sal

A museum constructed entirely from salt blocks, showcasing local salt mining traditions and salt-carved sculptures typical of the Colchani region.

Museo de la Llama y de la Sal Colchani

Located in Colchani, this museum details the history of llama herding and salt processing. It features salt-block architecture and exhibits on the traditional salt caravans of the Altiplano.

Museo Ferrocarril y Centro de Interpretación de Uyuni

An indoor museum and interpretation center documenting the development of the Antofagasta-Bolivia railway through historical photographs, technical equipment, and artifacts from the regional railway era.