ancient ruins
Tiwanaku
The spiritual and political center of the Tiwanaku civilization near Lake Titicaca, featuring the iconic Sun Gate, semi-subterranean temple, and precision-cut stone architecture.
1 km · about 5 min drive
La Paz Department, Bolivia · South America
Tiahuanaco is worth a stop: 30 minutes from Pucarani, 1km from Tiwanaku.
Tiahuanaco is a town located in La Paz Department, Bolivia. With a population of 3,037, it is an important destination in South America.
On a road trip, Tiahuanaco sits in Bolivia. It's in the America/La Paz time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Tiahuanaco to your route.
The Gate of the Sun, also known as the Gateway of the Sun (in older literature simply called "(great) monolithic Gateway of Ak-kapana"), is a monolithic gateway at the site of Tiahuanaco by the Tiwanaku culture, an Andean civilization of Bolivia that throve around Lake Titicaca in the Andes of western South AmericaRead more
around A.D. 500-950.
Tiwanaku is located near Lake Titicaca at about 12,549.2 ft (3,825.0 m) above sea level near La Paz, Bolivia. The Gate of the Sun is approximately 9.8 ft (3.0 m) tall and 13 ft (4.0 m) wide, and was carved from a single piece of stone. Its weight is estimated to be 10 tons. When rediscovered by European explorers in the mid-19th century, the megalith was lying horizontally and had a large crack through it. It presently stands in the location where it was found, although it is believed that this is not its original site, which remains uncertain.
Some elements of Tiwanaku iconography spread throughout Peru and parts of Bolivia. Although there have been various modern interpretations of the mysterious inscriptions found on the object, the carvings that decorate the gate are believed to possess astronomical and/or astrological significance and may have served a calendrical purpose. In addition, scholars suggest that the design below the central figure is meant to represent celestial cycles. Being a later monument to the site in which it stands, the Gateway of the Sun could have also represented a transition from lunar religion to a solar religion based on its positioning to the sun to the West.
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Tiahuanaco is located in La Paz Department, Bolivia, South America. The coordinates are -16.5523 latitude, -68.6795 longitude.
Tiahuanaco has a population of approximately 3,037 people, making it a town in Bolivia.
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3 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
The spiritual and political center of the Tiwanaku civilization near Lake Titicaca, featuring the iconic Sun Gate, semi-subterranean temple, and precision-cut stone architecture.
1 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
The world's highest administrative capital set in a dramatic canyon, with the Mi Teleferico cable car network and the famous Witches' Market.
57 km · about 65 min drive
landmark
A surreal street market in the world's highest capital selling dried llama fetuses, potions, and Aymara spiritual offerings.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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