One of the most surprising features of Tiwanaku is its majestic architecture. The city’s builders used massive stone blocks perfectly fitted together without the use of mortar, creating structures that have withstood the test of time and even natural disasters.
Among the Most Famous Structures of Tiwanaku
- The Akapana Pyramid: an imposing step pyramid originally composed of seven stacked platforms, with retaining stone walls reaching a height of over 18 meters. The pyramid was covered in sandstone and andesite, topped with a temple. It is surrounded by well-preserved drainage channels. UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- The Kalasasaya Temple: a vast rectangular enclosure with stone walls, known for its monolithic sculptures and the semi-submerged courtyard, featuring intricate carvings and symbols.
- The Gateway of the Sun: a monolith made of andesite, decorated with intricate iconography, considered a symbol of the cosmological and spiritual beliefs of the Tiwanaku civilization.
Many of Tiwanaku’s architectural structures are aligned with astronomical events, suggesting an advanced understanding of celestial phenomena. The city’s iconography, including carvings and sculptures, reflects their reverence for powerful deities and complex mythologies.
The Gateway of the Sun from the Tiwanaku civilization in Bolivia – Mhwater – Transferred from nl.wikipedia
The Viracocha are Andean deities associated with creation and cosmic power, whose worship spread across various pre-Columbian civilizations in the Andean region, including Tiwanaku and later the Incas. In academic terms, Viracocha is considered a creator god, often depicted as a civilizing figure emerging from the waters of Lake Titicaca and giving birth to the sun, moon, stars, and human beings.