CHINKANA, ROCA SAGRADA AND MESA RITUAL

The Chinkana temple, or "labyrinth" in Aymara, is believed to be between 1,000 and 1,500 years old. It had two main functions. The first was to house the Inca's virgins, the famous ñustas. Its second function was to store food for pilgrims from all over the empire. The buildings of Chinkana are more or less in ruins, even if they have been partially restored to give an idea of what they were. In any case, you will certainly appreciate the idyllic setting reminiscent of the Mediterranean landscape.

Roca Sagrada. Also known as the "rock of the origins", this enormous rock is one of the most emblematic places on the island. It is here that the Incas located the birth of their dynasty, first with the Sun God Viracocha, then the founders of Cuzco, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo. The pilgrims came to adore the sacred rock, rock where, according to the Inca beliefs, had taken refuge, during the great flood provoked by Pachayachic, the Sun and the Moon. This rock, located two hundred meters from the site of Chinkana was, according to some chronicles, entirely covered with gold and silver, symbolizing respectively the sun and the moon. Precious minerals obviously disappeared at the arrival of the Spaniards.

Mesa Ritual. Right next to the Roca Sagrada, this ritual table was used during the ceremonies for human sacrifices. The malefactors were then used for the accomplishment of religious practices.