Tiwanaku
The capital of an Andean civilization that predated the Inca by a thousand years. The Gate of the Sun and giant stone statues are UNESCO World Heritage.
The Tiwanaku civilization flourished from about AD 500 to 1000, centered on the south shore of Lake Titicaca and extending into present-day southern Peru and northern Chile. It is considered one of the important origins of Inca civilization and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The site lies on a plateau at about 3,850 m, about 70 km west of La Paz. Highlights: ① Kalasasaya Temple, a huge rectangular stone platform. At its northwest corner stands the famous Gate of the Sun (Puerta del Sol), carved from a single block of andesite. Its lintel bears reliefs of the “Staff God” and birdmen, interpreted as a calendar. ② The semi-subterranean temple, its walls inlaid with over a hundred carved stone heads. ③ The Ponce and Fraile monolithic statues. ④ The Akapana pyramid mound. ⑤ Further away, Puma Punku, where precisely cut H-shaped stone blocks have inspired countless theories. Two museums display pottery and the Bennett Monolith, which weighs about 20 tonnes. Admission for foreigners is about 100 bolivianos, including the site and museums. Opening hours are about 09:00–17:00. Transport: take a minibus from the La Paz cemetery district for about 1.5–2 hours, or join a day tour, where a guide makes the site easier to understand. The high-altitude sun is strong, so bring a hat and water. Every year on June 21, the winter solstice, thousands gather at the Gate of the Sun to greet the sunrise for the Aymara New Year (Willkakuti).
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Feria 16 de Julio (El Alto)
- Cholita Wrestling
- Cementerio General de La Paz
- Mi Teleférico
- Mercado Rodríguez
- Witches' Market
- Calle Sagárnaga
- Coca Museum