Visit Pachacamac: set off from Lima to discover one of Peru’s oldest archaeological sites!
Pachacamac is perhaps one of Peru‘s oldest archaeological sites. It was one of the most prized religious centers for centuries, and was exploited by various civilizations. It was abandoned during the Spanish conquest and the fall of the Inca empire. Pachacamac was the main pre-Columbian ceremonial center and is located near the city of Lima, in the valley of the Lurín River, in the midst of a unique landscape alternating vegetation and desert.
What to see in Pachacamac
Wikimedia – Håkan Svensson (Xauxa)
Several civilizations have succeeded one another at Pachacamac, which is why there are numerous temples and other pyramidal platforms spanning a period of over 1,000 years. Since then, some areas have survived the invasion of the Inca and Spanish empires. You’ll find palaces, plazas, temples and a site museum with an impressive collection of local artefacts. For those who can, try to get away from Pachacamac itself and explore the beautiful hills of Lucumo, with its small restaurants serving delicious shrimps.
An imposing religious sanctuary
Pachacamac is above all a place where religious ceremonies from all over the country were performed. The image of the god Pachacamac has been preserved to this day, and can be found on display in the museum: it represents a slender trunk with drawings and sculptures of plants, birds and felines. A sort of totem, both masculine and feminine.
Museum and citadel
Wikimedia – Håkan Svensson (Xauxa)
Pachacamac is a unique site that serves a number of functions, although the religious function was its primary prerogative. Most of the Andean world considered the site of Pachacamac to be the Mecca of America, which is why there is still today a strong imprint of all those civilizations that paid homage to the gods at Pachacamac. The city’s citadel is located on the right bank of the Lurín valley, and forms a large architectural complex that cuts across the 4 great Andean cultures of Lima, Wari, Inka and Ychma.
Today, from Lima, you can take an excursion to this exceptional site: accompanied by a bilingual English and Spanish tour guide and a professional pilot, you’ll set off on a 3.5-hour journey to the very heart of Andean culture. Enter now into the formidable, gigantic world of the Incas and the pre-Columbian era!