Pachacama Temple of the Sun
Here are today’s Fun Photo Friday selections of favorite shots taken at Pachacamac outside Lima, Peru:
Pachacama
Pachacama
View from Temple of the Sun
Tag Archives: Lima
Fun Photo Friday — Some Pachacamac Favorites
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Arriving Pachacamac
One of the massive Pachacamac Pyramids
After our visit to El Salto del Friale to watch some guy dressed as a monk jump off a cliff into raging waters, our tour group headed some 25 miles/40 kilometers south along the coast to the Pachacamac Archeological Site.
Our tour bus
If you thought the pyramids of Huaca Pucllana were impressive, wait until you get a glimpse of Puchacamac!
Pachacamac-related sites in Peru
This archeological site covers some 2.3 square miles/6 square kilometers, and it is dotted with the remains of massive pyramids, temples, roadways, and buildings.
Map of Pachacamac
Atop the highest ground is the Temple of the Sun, which I’ll cover more in depth in a later, separate blog post (you’ll get a glimpse however on this week’s Fun Photo Friday). You can see the Temple of the Sun depicted at the upper right-hand corner of the 3-D rendering below:
3-D Modelling of the Pachacamac Archeological Site
Upon arrival to Pachacamac you’ll find the visitors center, which contains some background information as well as replicas of ancient artifacts that were found in the area.
Replica Artifacts
Many of the building at Pachacamac were built by the pre-Incan Ichma Culture sometime between A.D. 1350 and 1400. Here is a detailed replica of Ichma Culture pottery:
Replica Pottery at Pachacamac
There is much to see, do, and photograph here, which is why we’ll be exploring Pachacamac over the next three weeks culminating with a hike high above the surrounding area for some breathtaking views from the Temple of the Sun. So, until Wednesday, let me leave you with just a taste of what’s in store over these upcoming weeks:
Pachacamac
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El Salto del Fraile (The Jump of the Friar)
The Lovelorn Monk Prepares to Jump
For the past six weeks I have presented eighteen blog posts dealing with just our first day in and around Lima, Peru! We still had one more day of our tour to go. So, on the morning of March 20, 2015, we exited the Golden Princess at El Callao (the seaport serving Lima) and once again caught up with our tour group. Our first stop this day was at the overlook above the restaurant El Salto del Fraile (The Jump of the Friar).
El Salto del Fraile Restaurant
Below the restaurant is a stone bridge connecting the mainland with a rock outcropping set amidst some very turbulent waters. It is here that a legend took hold over a century and a half ago. A Francisco and even younger Clara fell madly in love. Clara’s father — a rich and powerful marquis — did not approve, and when the marquis discovered that their girl was pregnant he separated the two lovers by forcing Francisco into a monastery.
The Bridge
The young monk got word to his beloved to meet him. Alas, the marquis had other plans, on this very day he and Clara had set sail aboard a frigate bound for Spain. As misfortune would have it, the frigate sailed past the very point upon which the waiting monk stood, and the two lovers glimpsed each other.
Raging Waters
Distraught, Francisco threw himself into the raging water below. Having witnessed the certain death of her lover, Clara also jumped into the sea from the deck of the frigate. Neither survived.
Crashing Waves
But that’s the legend. When this monk jumps, he manages to afterward climb back up the cliff with the help of a strategically placed rope.
A Dripping Wet Monk Walks Back — Note the rope to the right
Unfortunately I was positioning myself for better lighting and angle when today’s “Francisco” made the plunge. Below are a few more of the photos I took here:
Pounding Surf
Turbulence and Rock
Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation
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