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All Bolivia Copacabana Iñaq Uyu (House of the Virgins of the Sun)

Iñaq Uyu (House of the Virgins of the Sun)

An ancient Incan convent on Lake Titicaca's Island of the Moon.

Copacabana, Bolivia

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Scott Mansfield
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Partially restored section of the convent. The Andes are in the background.   Scott Mansfield / Atlas Obscura User
Partially restored section of the convent. The Andes are in the background.   Scott Mansfield / Atlas Obscura User
Unrestored section of the convent. Note the terraced hills in the background.   Scott Mansfield / Atlas Obscura User
The Chakana, or Inca Cross   Scott Mansfield / Atlas Obscura User
Another view of the convent ruins.   Scott Mansfield / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Before the Inca Empire was destroyed by civil war, smallpox, and a Spaniard named Francisco Pizarro, it was South America’s largest empire, stretching along the west of the continent and encompassing about 10 million people. Many of its walls, building foundations, farm terraces, and interconnected system of roads and canals are still in use today.

According to their origin myth, the first Incas, Manco Capac, son of the Sun god Inti and his sister/wife Mama Ocllo, daughter of the Moon, left Lake Titicaca in search of a place to found their empire. On the Island of the Moon, a small island in this sacred lake, the Incas later founded a "convent" (also called Iñakuyu) of virgins.

The most favored of these virgins learned ceremonial rites to prepare them to marry Inti (although this, unfortunately, required that they give up their life on Earth). The lesser virgins at the temple were taught domestic skills such as planting, spinning, weaving, and medicine. Once they mastered their skills, the educated women traveled to other communities in the empire to share knowledge and solidify the Incan culture.

The partially restored ruins of the temple overlook the lake with the Andes Mountains in the distance and ancient farm terraces covering the surrounding hills. Prominent in the walls of the ruins is the Chakana, or Inca Cross.

Related Tags

Incas Ruins Temples Islands Rites And Rituals Crosses

Know Before You Go

You can take a boat to the island and spend the night at one of a few hostels there, enabling you to have the ruins to yourself in the evening and at dawn. You can find a tour boat to the island at Copacabana, Bolivia. Locals still use the ruins to hold celestial ceremonies, so please be respectful.

Community Contributors

Added By

Scott Mansfield

Published

September 23, 2019

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_de_la_Luna
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%C3%B1aq_Uyu
  • The Wonder Trail: True Stories from Los Angeles to the End of the World by Steve Hely
Iñaq Uyu (House of the Virgins of the Sun)
Copacabana
Bolivia
-16.038567, -69.071242

Nearby Places

Chincana Ruins

Comunidad Challapampa, Bolivia

miles away

Horca del Inca

Copacabana, Bolivia

miles away

Steamship Yavari

Qullaw pruwinsya, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Copacabana

Copacabana

Bolivia

Places 2

Nearby Places

Chincana Ruins

Comunidad Challapampa, Bolivia

miles away

Horca del Inca

Copacabana, Bolivia

miles away

Steamship Yavari

Qullaw pruwinsya, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Copacabana

Copacabana

Bolivia

Places 2

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