Description of the attraction
Chucuito is one of the most beautiful cities located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This small town is located on the Collao plateau at an altitude of 3,875 meters above sea level, 18 km from the city of Puno along the highway towards Desaguadero.
On the road, before entering the city of Chuquito, two large faces of Indians are carved into the rock on both sides of the road, which symbolize the passage to Lake Titicaca. At first glance, you might think that this is just a model from Disneyland, but in fact it is the work of ancient stone carvers.
In pre-Columbian times, this place was the capital and largest city of the ancient Incas, Lupakas. In the colonial era, a small town was the center of tax collection, it was also called the "Royal Savings Bank". It also created a plant for the processing of silver ore, which was brought from the mines of the Potosi mines.
As echoes of the times, traces of that era can still be seen around the Plaza de Armas. The best examples of the former wealth of this town are its two Renaissance churches: the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1601) and the Church of St. Dominic (1639), now surrounded by winding cobbled streets and beautiful Latin American mansions.
Among the main tourist attractions in Chucuito is the Sundial, which was a symbol of law and justice during the colonial era. Near the clock are the ruins of the Temple of Fertility of the ancient Inca Uyo. This is a small ruined stone building of rectangular shape, inside of which there are 80 monoliths in the form of mushrooms of various sizes, stuck into the ground. Here rituals related to fertility and birth were held.
Mirador de Chuquito is a 5-minute walk from the main square, Plaza de Armas. Built of limestone and covered with clay tiles, this ancient pre-Columbian ceremonial center currently hosts festive ceremonies and carnivals. Through the stone arches of the Mirador de Chuquito, there is an amazing view of Lake Titicaca.
On the shores of the lake is the UNA Research Center, established to replenish several endangered trout species. On the territory of the center there is a fish farm where trout is raised, which is subsequently released into the lake.
Nowadays, the town of Chuquito is a beautiful resort where many people tend to come during the southern summer to relax and enjoy the cool waters of Lake Titicaca.
