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Top Historical Places To Visit in Bolivia



For those visiting Bolivia, knowing that it has many historical places that are worth visiting is a good point to start planning your trip. Here are some of the Top Historiacal Places in Bolivia:

LAKE TITICACA


Lake Titicaca lies 94 miles northwest of La Paz. This vast lake has been home to diferent civilzations and It is considered the place where Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo emerged to found the kingdom of Cuzco. The truth is that Lake Titicaca had great religious importance for the Incas and is an area rich in history. The water is still, calm, and relaxing to any visitor. There are a few tours that go out onto the lake, and local fishermen but otherwise not much else.

COPACABANA





Snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Real loom over the shores of the lake. The highlight for any tourist is the picturesque lakeshore town of Copacabana, established according to legend by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui. This town holds a number of important Inca ruins, yet they are overshadowed by the Virgin of Copacabana, the town's main attraction. Pilgrims travel from afar for her blessing.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Copacabana Cropped

The Basilica Nuestra Señora de Copacabana is the home of the Virgin. As the legend goes she appeared to Tito Yupanqui in a dream in 1580 causing him to travel to Potosi to learn to sculpt. He then hands carved the Virgin from the wood of a maguey cactus and carried her on foot to Copacabana from Potosi, placing it in a chapel in 1583. The Spanish completed the cathedral for her in 1617. The Virgin stands on a mechanical altar. On weekends she faces the main chapel and on weekdays faces a small chapel on the other side. At the bottom of the altar is a silver ship representing the moon, and above the Virgin’s head is a gold statue that symbolizes the sun. The Virgin is revered.

For those visitors interested in archaeological sites there are three Inca ruins in Copacabana. The Asiento del Inca (Seat of the Inca) which some have said is where Inca priests met. The carvings here are large indentations into the rock resembling thrones. The carvings are at different levels in what appear different rooms and do not face the same direction. 

Then there is the Horca del Inca, a three-rock structure that resembles gallows. It is believed the Incas watched the sun and stars here but unfortunately the Spanish destroyed much of the site in searching for gold. Finally, the third site is the Bano del Inca where visitors will find a small museum dedicated to finds in the area. Behind the museum is a little spring said to have mystical powers.

TIAHUANACO RUINS




Just outside La Paz visitors to the area can find Tiahuanaco ruins where there are several structures to be seen. One thing that stands out is the 2M deep stone-walled structure with 175 heads engraved on the sides. Also, the Kalassasaya Temple with its Puerto del Sol (Sun Gate) can be found alongside other stone figures. The Tiahuanaco civilization lasted from about 600BC to 1200 AD before fading into obscurity.



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