- Address: Copacabana, Manco Kapac Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia
On the Island of the Moon, which is located on Lake Titicaca , there is one of the famous pre-Inca buildings - the temple of Inaq Uyu (Temple of Virgins, or Temple of Solar Virgins).
The Moon - from the Incas and from other tribes who inhabited this territory, as well as all the Gentiles - meant the feminine, while the Sun was male. The island bears the name of the Moon, because according to legend, it is here that the god Viracocha gave the order to the moon to go up to heaven. The temple was also dedicated to the moon, and with it lived women who gave a vow of chastity - "the bride of the sun." Here, to become a "sunny bride", they brought girls, starting from the age of eight. They were engaged not only in fulfilling the duties of the priestesses, but also in making clothes for the members of the higher society.
What does the temple look like today?
As archaeologists believe, Inaq Uyu existed long before this area was under the rule of the Incas, and with them the temple was simply rebuilt. It is not known whether this was in fact true, but an indirect confirmation of this hypothesis is the difference in the masonry. In some places it is possible to see the same masonry as in the known complexes of Tiwanaku , Cusco and others, and in some - usual, and not too tidy, using a large amount of clay mortar. The lower parts of the buildings, as a rule, are made of granite and are very well processed, but the upper superstructures appear to have been made much later.
A distinctive feature of the structure - decorations in the form of false niches cross-shaped. However, such jewelry can be seen in some megalithic complexes.
How to get to Inaq Uyu?
The island of the moon from La Paz can be reached by car; will have to travel a little more than 150 km, the road will take about 4 hours. Go to Ruta National 2 (El Alto) and follow it to Tiquina, then take the ferry to Ruta National 2, then continue to the left on the same Ruta National 2.
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