Showing 1-13 of 13 results
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Baño del Inca
The pre-Columbian tunnel beside the Kusijata Manor was originally used to access the subterranean water supply. The carved-stone water tank and tap are known as the Baño del Inca, although their origins and meanings are a little unclear.
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Camarín de la Virgen de Candelaria
The cathedral's black Virgen de Candelaria statue Camarín de la Virgen de Candelaria, carved by Inca Tupac Yupanqui's grandson, Francisco Yupanqui, is encased above the altar upstairs in the niche or camarín (note visiting hours are unreliable). The statue is never moved from the cathedral, as superstition suggests that its disturbance would precipitate a devastating flood of Lake Titicaca.
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Chincana Ruins & Titi Khar'ka
The main feature of Isla del Sol's most spectacular ruins complex is the Palacio del Inca, a maze of stone walls and tiny doorways, also known as El Laberinto (the Labyrinth) or by its Aymará name, Inkanakan Utapa. Within the labyrinth there is a small well, believed by Inca pilgrims to contain sacred water with which they would purify themselves.
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Copacabana Beach
While Bolivia's only public beach can't hold a candle to the better-known beach of the same name in Rio de Janeiro, on weekends the festive atmosphere is a magnet for families. You can take a pew at one of the many little eateries along the (unfortunately) drain-ridden shore front. More appealingly, you can soak up sun, trout and beer.
You can also rent all manner of boating craft, bicycles and motorbikes.
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Copacabana Cathedral
The sparkling white mudéjar (Moorish-style) cathedral, with its domes and colorful azulejos (blue Portuguese-style ceramic tiles), dominates the town. The black Virgen de Candelaria statue, carved by Francisco Yupanqui, is never moved from the cathedral, as superstition suggests that its disturbance would precipitate a devastating flood of Lake Titicaca.
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Fuente del Inca & Escalera del Inca
Early Spaniards believed Yumani's spring was a fountain of youth, and for the Incas the three streams represented their national motto: Ama sua, Ama llulla, Ama khella, (Don't steal, don't lie and don't be lazy.) Today, the fountain is a crucial source of water for locals, who come daily to wash clothes or fetch water and carry it up the steep trail.
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Horca del Inca
The small but prominent hill Niño Calvario, southeast of town (not to be confused with Cerro Calvario west of town), is known variously as Little Calvary, Seroka and by its original name, Kesanani. Its weirdly rugged rock formations merit an hour or so of exploration. From near the end of Calle Murillo, a signposted trail leads uphill to the Horca del Inca, an odd trilithic gate perched on the hillside.
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Kusijata
A 3km walk northeast along the shoreline from the end of Calles Junín or Hugo Ballivián leads to the community-run colonial manor known as Kusijata, where there's a small, dusty archaeological display. If you can see in the semi-dark - the lights are not turned on - seek out the long-deceased human sitting in an upright fetal position, as he was buried. A young caretaker should chase after you with the key as you walk up the hill; otherwise ask around.
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Museo de la Catedral
The Cathedral is a repository for both European and local religious art and the Museo de la Catedral contains some interesting articles. Don't miss the ostrich vases or the hundreds of paper cranes donated by a Japanese woman in the hope of bearing an intelligent child. There are group tours on demand.
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Museo del Poncho
The Museo del Poncho is one of the newest, most professional and loveliest museums around. The exhibits, in a modern layout over two floors, help you unravel the mysteries of the regional textiles, particularly ponchos. The labels, in both English and Spanish, give a clear insight into the garments' origins, meanings and the different regions they belong to.
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Museo El Altiplano complex
This complex focuses on the anthropology and archaeology of the Altiplano cultures, as well as the natural history of the Lake Titicaca region. It features the traditions, agriculture, medicine and building techniques of the Tiahuanaco, Inca and Spanish empires, as well as the Chipayas and Uros cultures and the Kallawayas medicinal tradition.
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Niño Calvario & Horca del Inca
The small but prominent hill Niño Calvario, southeast of town, is known variously as Little Calvary, Seroka, and by its original name, Kesanani. Its weirdly rugged rock formations merit an hour or so of exploration. From near the end of Calle Murillo, a signposted trail leads uphill to the Horca del Inca, an odd trilithic gate perched on the hillside.
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Tribunal del Inca
North of the cemetery on the southeastern outskirts of town is the sadly neglected site of artificially sculpted boulders known as the Inca Tribunal. Its original purpose is unknown, but there are several carved stones with asientos (seats), basins and hornecinos (niches), which probably once contained idols.
Showing 1-13 of 13 results
