The northern region of Amazonas is getting ready to celebrate, on January 31, the 177th anniversary of
discovery —its most emblematic monumental heritage, compared in architectural significance to Machu Picchu.
This is an opportunity to visit and explore such a tourist hotspot in the northeastern part of the Andean country.
The discovery of
Kuelap is credited to Crisostomo Nieto, a first instance judge in Chachapoyas, who came across the complex on January 31, 1843.
Nevertheless, it was Peruvian archaeologist and historian Federico Kauffmann, who conducted the most prolific studies on this colossal pre-Hispanic construction.
Impregnable construction
It is situated at 3,000 m.a.s.l. at the summit of Barreta Hill, in the valley of Utcubamba River, a little more than 70 km southwest of Chachapoyas city. This strategic location made of Kuelap an almost impregnable place.
Built entirely of stone —between the 11th and 16th centuries A.D.— Kuelap Fortress constitutes the largest material legacy of the Chachapoyas civilization.
The site contains circular constructions. The structure extends almost 600 meters and is surrounded by a perimeter wall measuring up to 19 meters in height.
Kuelap has three entrance gates. At one of them, the path narrows to where only one person can pass through at a time, which facilitated the defense of the building and, with it, of its ancient inhabitants.
(END) LZD/MAO/RMB/MVB