Ever heard of Tiwanaku? Probably not.
Tiwanaku is to Bolivia what Machu Picchu is to Peru. Meaning it's pretty flippin' culturally significant.
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.
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.
And better yet, the site wasn't over run with tourists--that's pretty much Bolivia all over, not too touristy.
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| Akapana Pyramid |
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| 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.
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| Walls around temple Kalasasaya |
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| Monolith El Fraile |
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.
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| Bone fragments and pottery shards in the earth |
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| 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.
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| Semi-subterranean temple with temple gate in middle ground and El Fraile visible through it |
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.
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| 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)
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| Lunch at El Condor |
Do you like visiting museums or historic sites when travelling?
This is such a cool experience to be able to have Erin!
ReplyDeleteI 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
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