Thursday 23 February 2017

Tiwanaku

Ever heard of Tiwanaku? Probably not.

Tiwanaku is to Bolivia what Machu Picchu is to Peru. Meaning it's pretty flippin' culturally significant.

Quick history lesson: from 300 to 1150 Tiwanaku was a Pre-Columbian empire that stretched over southern Peru, western Bolivia and northern Chile with its government seat in the city of Tiwanaku just south of Lake Titicaca. It is recognized as one of the most important civilizations prior to the rise of the Inca empire.  Tiwanaku gained influence over the cultures it absorbed by creating trade routes on which cities within its empire were dependant. 

The decline of this great empire, like much of its existence, remains uncertain. 
{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

From La Paz, Tiwanaku is an easy jaunt away, especially if you do like us and book a trip through a travel company. It provided us with transportation there and back, and an English speaking guide. Additional costs were for admission onto the grounds, 2 museums, and lunch. All told, not bad for $30 USD! 

And better yet, the site wasn't over run with tourists--that's pretty much Bolivia all over, not too touristy.

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Akapana Pyramid

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate)

Our guide was very well informed and read the tone of our (thankfully) small tour group; not giving us too much information and lingering in areas when we showed increased interest. Having never heard of the Tikanaku empire before I found all the information to be surprising and intriguing. 

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Walls around temple Kalasasaya

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Monolith El Fraile

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

It can almost go without saying; Tiwanaku is no Machu Picchu. The setting is a bit underwhelming and the ruins a bit sparse in comparison. That said, the museum is well done and houses a v. impressive 24 foot tall monolith, The Pachamama monolith ('no photos please') and the little known history of this important civilization will catch the curiosity of any history buff. In fact, archaeological work is ongoing at the site and they are making new discoveries all the time.

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Bone fragments and pottery shards in the earth

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Semi-subterranean temple with carved faces
My favourite sights of the tour included the Semi-subterranean temple courtyard with walls decorated with 175 sculptures of human (human-like) faces. Each one is different, just like a special little snowflake, some even looking like modern ideals of alien heads. Many theories surround this tiny temple. 

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Semi-subterranean temple with temple gate in middle ground and El Fraile visible through it

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

Another favourite piece from this mysterious site what this stone (pictured below). Looks like a normal, unassuming stone with a hole in it, right? WRONG! It's actually a very practical piece of rockery. It's an amplifier. Demonstrated by our guide as he spoke in a normal voice above the stone and then through it, my jaw literally dropped as his voice was increased. I mean, I know it's pretty simple technology but still my mind was blown at it's existence at this pre-Inca site. 

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia

{Erin Out and About} Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Present day village of Tiwanaku

Our tour of the site ended with a delicious 3 course meal at El Condor; I went with the Quinoa soup, trout, and dessert. The cost was 35 Bolivianos (approx. $5 USD)

Lunch at El Condor 


Do you like visiting museums or historic sites when travelling?

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2 comments:

  1. This is such a cool experience to be able to have Erin!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I didn't know exactly what I was going to be seeing when I signed up for it, but it became one of the highlights from this trip

    ReplyDelete

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