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Qurikancha (also spelled
Korikancha or Qorikancha)
is one of the most important and significant
Inca sites in
Cusco, Peru. The name
Qurikancha comes from
the Quechua language,
where "Quri" means
gold and "kancha"
means enclosure or
courtyard, making
Qurikancha translate to
"Temple of Gold."
Key Facts about
Qurikancha:
1.
Inca Sun Temple:
- Qurikancha was originally a
temple dedicated to Inti,
the Inca sun god,
and it was one of the most revered and sacred places in the Inca
Empire.
- The site is believed to have
been richly decorated with
gold and precious
metals, with walls that were covered in
gold sheets and the
floor paved with
golden plates.
- The Incas also dedicated
different sections of the temple to other gods, such as
Viracocha (creator
god), Pachamama
(earth goddess), and Mama
Quilla (moon goddess).
2.
Inca Architecture:
- Qurikancha is renowned for its
masterful Inca
architecture. The construction techniques used here are
among the finest examples of Inca engineering, with perfectly fitted
stone walls that
have survived the centuries.
- The temple complex had a
series of courtyards
and shrines, and
the main building was considered a place of great spiritual
significance.
- The
stones used to
build Qurikancha are meticulously crafted, with the Incas using no
mortar but instead relying on the precision of the stones fitting
together to form a nearly seamless structure.
3.
The Spanish Conquest and the
Church of Santo Domingo:
- When the
Spanish conquistadors
arrived in Peru in the 16th century, they destroyed many Inca
temples and buildings.
Qurikancha was no exception.
- The Spanish built the
Church of Santo Domingo
on top of the ruins of Qurikancha, effectively
converting the
sacred Inca temple into a
Christian church.
- Despite the destruction of the
gold and the temple’s original structure, the remnants of
Inca walls still
remain, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of Inca stonework.
- Today, visitors can see the
contrast between the
Spanish colonial architecture of
Santo Domingo and
the ancient Inca walls that surround it.
4.
Current Significance:
- Today, Qurikancha is an
important archaeological
site and museum,
and it is one of the most visited attractions in
Cusco.
- It serves as a
symbol of the
Inca’s advanced architectural skills, religious practices, and their
relationship with the natural world.
- The site offers visitors the
chance to view Inca
stonework,
Spanish colonial additions, and various
artifacts that
illustrate the rich
cultural heritage of the region.
5.
What to See at Qurikancha:
- The
Inca Walls: The
most impressive feature of Qurikancha is the well-preserved Inca
walls. The stones are cut so precisely that they fit perfectly
without the use of mortar, a hallmark of Inca engineering.
-
Museum Exhibits:
The site includes a museum that showcases the history of the temple,
the Inca Empire, and the Spanish conquest. You’ll find a collection
of Inca artifacts,
ceramics, and
golden items that
were once part of the temple.
-
Colonial Architecture:
The Church of Santo
Domingo is built atop the ancient site, and you can explore
the church while appreciating the fusion of
colonial and
Inca influences.
6.
The Importance of Gold:
-
Gold played a key
role in the significance of Qurikancha, and much of its decoration
was designed to reflect the Inca’s deep reverence for the
sun god. The Inca
believed that gold was the
sweat of the sun and used it to create offerings and
adornments for their temples.
- Although much of the gold was
looted during the Spanish conquest,
Qurikancha’s legacy
as a temple of the sun continues to resonate in the history of Cusco
and Peru.
7.
Visiting Qurikancha:
-
Location:
Qurikancha is located in the heart of
Cusco, near the
main square (Plaza de Armas), making it easy to visit as part of a
walking tour of the city's historical sites.
-
Opening Hours:
Qurikancha is generally open to visitors during the day, and there
are guided tours available in various languages.
-
Admission: There
is an entrance fee to visit Qurikancha, and it is often included in
multi-site ticket packages that cover other significant attractions
in Cusco.
Conclusion:
Qurikancha is a
fascinating blend of Inca history, architecture, and
spiritual significance.
It is one of the most iconic
Inca sites in Cusco
and an essential stop for anyone interested in the culture and heritage
of the Inca Empire.
The contrast between the Inca
foundations and the
Spanish colonial church that now sits on top of the site makes
Qurikancha a unique place to learn about the history of Peru and the
impact of Spanish colonization.
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Pukara is an archaeological site and town located in the
Puno Region of
southern Peru, near the
shores of Lake Titicaca.
Pukara is famous for its ancient
ruins, which date back to the
Pre-Inca period and are
associated with the Pukara
culture, an important civilization that flourished in the
highlands of southern Peru
before the rise of the Inca Empire.
Key Highlights of
Pukara:
1.
Pukara Culture:
- The
Pukara culture was
one of the earliest civilizations in the
Andean highlands,
dating back to around 500 BC
to 200 AD.
- This culture is believed to have
been primarily an
agricultural society, and it played a significant role in
the development of ceramic
and architectural techniques
in the region.
- Pukara is considered to be an
important precursor to later Andean civilizations, including the
Tiahuanaco (or
Tiwanaku) culture
and, eventually, the Inca
Empire.
2.
Pukara Archaeological Site:
- The
Pukara ruins are
one of the most important
archaeological sites in the
Puno region,
situated on the Altiplano,
at a high elevation. The site contains remnants of
ceremonial centers,
temples, and
platforms that
suggest it was once a
major political and religious hub.
- The most notable features of
the site include
pyramid-like structures,
stone carvings,
and terraces.
- Archaeologists have found
various stone statues,
sculptures, and
ceramic artifacts
at the site, which are believed to represent the
deities and
ritual practices
of the Pukara culture.
- The Pukara people are known
for their distinct style of
sculpted heads,
which were often placed in the
ceremonial spaces.
These sculptures are sometimes referred to as
"Pukara heads"
and are notable for their
large, stylized features.
3.
Pukara Museum:
- The
Pukara Museum is
an excellent place to learn about the history and significance of
the Pukara culture. The museum features many
artifacts from
the archaeological site, including
stone heads,
ceramics, and
tools.
- It is located in the nearby
town of Pukara
and serves as an educational center for visitors interested in
Pre-Columbian history.
- The museum provides insight
into the ceramic
traditions of the Pukara culture, which are some of the
earliest examples of
Andean art.
4.
Pukara Town:
- The town of
Pukara is a small
rural community that serves as a base for visitors exploring the
archaeological site. It is located along the
main highway that
connects the cities of
Puno and Juliaca,
making it a convenient stop on the way to or from
Lake Titicaca.
- The town has a
local market
where visitors can purchase
handmade textiles
and traditional crafts
that reflect the cultural heritage of the region.
5.
Cultural and Religious
Significance:
- Pukara was an important
religious center
for its inhabitants, with many of the ceremonial structures believed
to have been used for
ritual practices and offerings to the gods. This aspect of
the culture is reflected in the artifacts and sculptures found at
the site, which are thought to represent
divinities and
possibly astronomical
alignments.
- The site also shows evidence
of the development of
architectural techniques that influenced later
civilizations in the Andes, including the
Tiwanaku and
Inca cultures.
6.
Pukara’s Strategic Location:
- Pukara's location in the
southern highlands
of Peru, near Lake
Titicaca, was strategic for trade and agriculture. The lake
provided abundant resources, and the surrounding mountains were
important for agricultural
activities like
potato and quinoa
cultivation.
- The site's position also made
it an important ceremonial
center for various indigenous groups who lived in the
region.
How to Get to Pukara:
-
From Puno: Pukara
is located about 106
kilometers (66 miles) north of
Puno, the
regional capital. You can travel by
bus or
private transport,
and the journey takes about
1.5 to 2 hours.
-
From Juliaca:
Pukara is also located about
40 kilometers (25 miles)
from Juliaca, a
city known for its airport
that serves as a major entry point to the region.
Conclusion:
Pukara is an
important archaeological site that offers a fascinating glimpse into the
early civilizations
of the Andean highlands.
The Pukara culture
laid the foundations for later
Inca and Tiwanaku civilizations, and the site's stunning
ceremonial structures,
artifacts, and
museum make it a
must-visit for anyone interested in
Pre-Columbian history
and Andean culture.
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Safaris
Bergsteigen
Wandern
Insewandern Weltweit
Europa
Inselwandern
Städtewandern
Paintings
Dirk Rauschenbach
Mail ccooly(
at) web.de
02.03.25 Copyright Dirk
Rauschenbach Koelnerstrasse 293 51702 Bergneustadt
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