| Kuelap is an ancient and truly magnificent | | | | architectural sites, only one among hundreds of |
| structure. The only place that can really compare | | | | similarly constructed settlements straddling ridges |
| to its size, mystery and grandeur is the | | | | and clinging to mountain tops. It is presumed to |
| Sanctuary of MachuPicchu, but even then, Kuelap | | | | have taken at least 200 years to complete and |
| is at least twice as old and quite a bit bigger- it is | | | | was only brought to the world's attention in1843, |
| estimated to contain 3 times more material than | | | | when it was found in remarkably good condition |
| Egypt's largest pyramid! It was built by the | | | | by Juan Crisóstomo Nieto. It was built on top |
| Chachapoyas (meaning the warriors of the | | | | of a huge mountain peak using millions of cubic |
| clouds), which was what the Inkas called these | | | | feet of stone and consists of massive exterior |
| people (the name they used to refer to | | | | stone walls, which contain more than four hundred |
| themselves is unknown). Very little is currently | | | | buildings inside. It is roughly (no comma) 584m |
| known of this culture and since the Incas and the | | | | long and 110m Wide, with 20 meter high walls. |
| Spanish conquistadors were the principal sources | | | | Inside the Kuelap fortress can be found various |
| of information on the Chachapoyas, unbiased, | | | | structures whose use, or purpose, is a complete |
| first-hand information of this indigenous culture | | | | mystery. One, known as "El Tintero," is a large |
| remains scarce. Much of what we do know about | | | | stone structure built in the shape of an inverted |
| them is based on archaeological evidence from | | | | cone, a real challenge to the laws of gravity, since |
| ruins, pottery, tombs and other artifacts. The | | | | the diameter of its top is much larger than that |
| Chachapoyas were an Andean people who lived in | | | | of its bottom. Some think it was a prison. Others |
| the cloud forests of the Amazonas region of | | | | think it was an oracle observatory where the |
| present-day Peru and one of the most advanced | | | | shaman would go inside to observe a special star |
| civilizations to develop in this tropical jungle region. | | | | pass over "the lens" to signal an exact time or |
| Studies of pre-Inka Chachapoya skeletal remains | | | | event of the year. Around the fortress, set inside |
| from Salsipuedes and other burial Sites indicate | | | | each of the five walls, are gigantic open doorways |
| that the Chachapoyas were of Andean stock but, | | | | or portals. The best preserved portal, and |
| on average, taller than their contemporaries in | | | | probably the principal one, is 10m high and 3m |
| other parts of ancient Peru (1.59 meters for men | | | | wide. As you go inside the entryway you'll see a |
| and 1.46 meters for women). Among the | | | | passage that looks like a ramp with walls and if |
| scattered colonial descriptions of Chachapoyas, | | | | you continue along this passage it will start to |
| almost all the Chroniclers commented on their | | | | narrow down to a small tunnel until, eventually, it |
| white skin and on the beauty of their women. | | | | will only allow the passage of one person at a |
| Even Father Calancha succumbed to their beauty, | | | | time. This would have been an ideal place to fend |
| noting: "These are the… most graceful | | | | off enemies; since the walls are too high to scale |
| Indians in all the Indies and the women are the | | | | or raise ladders to access, the gigantic doors |
| most beautiful." The chronicler Pedro Cieza de | | | | would seem the logical way for an enemy to |
| León described them: "They are the… | | | | storm inside. However, once they had started up |
| most handsome of all the people that I have seen | | | | the ramp, they would discover too late, that the |
| in Indies, and their wives were so beautiful that | | | | passageway narrowed down to where only one |
| because of their gentleness, many of them | | | | person at a time could squeeze inside the citadel. |
| deserved to be the Incas' wives and to also be | | | | Though it might seems that Kuelap was built for |
| taken to the Sun Temple (...) The women and | | | | defensive purposes, the true reason for its |
| their husbands always dressed in woolen clothes | | | | construction remains unknown. Some have tried |
| and in their heads they wear their llautos, which | | | | to demonstrate that it, was more than a |
| are a sign they wear to be known everywhere." | | | | fortress; it might have been a fortified place |
| Their art style also reflects a mix of local and | | | | destined to serve as refuge to the population in |
| exotic influences. According to the analysis of the | | | | emergency cases. Some say that the |
| Chachapoyas objects, their cultural goods have | | | | Chachapoyas didn't build their citadels on the tops |
| Andean roots and do not exhibit Amazon cultural | | | | of mountains for defensive reasons at all, but in |
| tradition. The well-preserved burial offerings found | | | | order to make maximum use of the land for |
| near the Laguna de los Cóndores (the lake of | | | | cultivation. Referred to as the 'Machu Picchu of |
| the condors) are playing a vital part in revealing | | | | the north,' there is still a great deal to discover |
| answers regarding the genesis of the style. | | | | and investigate about Kuelap. It has a veil of |
| Recurring images found throughout the area in | | | | mystery that intrigues all those who visit it, |
| pictographs and in textiles and gourds display | | | | although they are few due to its remote location, |
| human figures sporting feathered headdresses, | | | | but many say that its beauty far outweighs the |
| which suggests common narratives and beliefs | | | | hardships of getting there. Over the past decade, |
| and the myths they reflect. Another image found | | | | the Peruvian government has been working on |
| near the laguna is that of a feline-like animal with | | | | making it easier for tourists to access. Kuelap is a |
| fanged teeth. Such representations may reflect | | | | treasure of ancient secrets that deserves to be |
| aspects of Chachapoya symbolism, whose | | | | viewed and protected. Kuoda Tours brings people |
| meaning has been lost in time. Kuelap is the | | | | to visit remote regions of Peru, including Kuelap. |
| biggest and most famous of Chachapoya | | | | |