Temple of Kotosh


This ruin is also known as the Temple of the Crossed Hands because of its highlight, a life-sized mud molding of a pair of crossed hands that dates to about 2000 BC. The original is now at Lima’s Museo Nacional de Antropología, Arqueología e Historía del Perú, and a replica remains at the site. Little is known about Kotosh, one of the most ancient Andean cultures. The temple, Huánuco's main attraction, is diverting enough, but anticlimactic after seeing the blockbuster Inca sites elsewhere.

Kotosh is about 5km west of town off La Unión road, and the site is easily visited by taxi (S12, including a 30-minute wait and return). In the hills 2km above the site, Quillaromi cave has impressive prehistoric paintings.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Iglesia San Francisco

2.6 MILES

This is Huánuco’s most appealing church, with its mustard-colored duel cupolas, lavish baroque-style altars and interesting escuela cuzqueña (Cuzco school…

2. Cathedral

2.79 MILES

Huánuco's main cathedral is sadly not much of a looker, but not ugly enough to detract from the agreeable Plaza de Armas that it faces.

3. Iglesia de La Merced

2.8 MILES

Second-place in Huánuco's church beauty contest doesn't take too much effort; still, congratulations to Iglesia de La Merced.