The millenary Huaca Pucllana Pyramid is one of the most attractive and mystical corners of our beloved Miraflores and Lima. The Huaca Pucllana has been recovered from the destruction and abandonment in which modernity had postponed it and now stands imposingly for the approval of all Peruvians and foreign tourists.
The Huaca Pucllana Pyramid is an archaeological site located in the Miraflores district.
These vestiges belonging between the years 400 and 1400 of the pre-Inca cultures Lima, Wari and Ychsma, were abandoned and not valued for a long time until 1967 when this mythical site was recovered.
In 1984 the Huaca Pucllana was officially inaugurated and in 1987 it was declared an intangible archaeological zone by the Peruvian state. One of the visits that we recommend making during your trip to Lima.
Location
Gral. Borgoño – Cuadra. 8 s / n, Miraflores.
Description
The Huaca Pucllana Pyramid was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of Lima Culture, during the years 200 to 700 after our era (in the Early Intermediate period).
The largest building in Pucllana, 500 meters long, more than 100 meters wide and 22 meters high, is a massive truncated pyramid, built entirely on the base of earth fillings and small adobes. In addition, the site is surrounded by a set of smaller, but equally remarkable environments: rooms, passageways, patios and ramps; usually finely finished with clay plasters and, in some cases, with traces of yellow paint.
The monumentality of this construction is evident when, when climbing to its top, it is possible to see the sea and the buildings that surround it from above. It follows that the purpose of the huaca must have been the administration of worship and the goods that abounded in the valley.
The pottery in Pucllana
The ceramics of the Lima towns fulfilled two functions. The domestic and the ritual. In the first case, quite simple pots made with a brown paste were preferred, within these you can find pots of various sizes, sources among other shapes. These pots are always found with black spots as a result of their continuous exposure to fire. Most dishes are made in an orange paste like the pitchers to contain liquids and grains.
But, it is in the ceramics used for rituals where simplicity is transformed into fine elegance. The Lima artisans who made the ritual vessels of Pucllana were obsessed with figures related to the sea: waves, wolves and seabirds, octopuses, but above all: sharks.
Attractions
The site tour
The third part of the pyramid and the entirety of the lower part are equipped with a tourist circuit that allows us to get to know closely the various spaces used when the site was a ceremonial center. In some enclosures and patios, life-size recreations of inhabitants of the Lima culture have been enabled, carrying out various activities (adobe manufacturing, ceremonies, etc.) as well as graves of the Wari culture, accompanied by photographs of the excavation process; This allows for a clearer understanding of the site’s past. Likewise, the visitor has the opportunity to observe the archaeologists at work since the intervened areas are not hidden from the public. It is not only intended to show the past of the site but how it is recovered through the patient work of archaeologists and conservators.
The showroom
The site has a small exhibition hall, inaugurated in 1984, in which part of the finds made at the site are displayed. Most of the objects correspond to the Lima culture, highlighting the ceremonial jugs, miniature mortuary offerings, ceramic sculptures of sharks and implements used in sacrifices. A sample of well-preserved polychrome textiles from the Waric culture complements the display of some offerings found in the tombs. All this is complemented with infographics, recreations and photographs accompanied by short texts in a clear and simple language.
The native flora and fauna park
It is considered an important objective to show that aspects of the ancient cultures that inhabited Pucllana remain today, this is achieved by showing how the plants and animals that were cultivated and raised at that time are an important part of the life of a current Lima or Peruvian still. Various plants such as corn, pacay, guava, tuna, tara, guarango, etc. They are exhibited together with South American camelids, Creole ducks or “jokes” in the muchik (Mochica) language, guinea pigs and Peruvian hairless dogs. These canids are now Cultural Heritage of the Nation, but in Huaca Pucllana they have been bred since before this, constituting a pioneer site in the conservation and revaluation of this native species.
The traditional technology area
The site has a room for the exhibition and sale of handicrafts made of various materials such as vegetable fiber, mattes, ceramics, wood and metals, as well as products made with native foods. Every weekend there are craft shows and demonstrations where you can interact with the artisans. The products are decorated with motifs that appear in the objects found in the excavations.
Guided tour
The guided tours begin by exploring the lower parts of the Huaca Pucllana Pyramid where you can see vessels and vestiges of ancient squares of the ancient settlers of Lima.
In some part of the route, a model shows, beyond the limits of the current archaeological site, a representation of spaces and the way how the Lima culture worked.
Part of the tour shows us the typical flora and fauna of the pre-Hispanic era, where you can see the friendly llamas.
The main attraction is the 7-level truncated pyramid, which was built with «adobitos», rectangular clay bricks dried in the sun. At the top of the pyramid, it is interesting to see the contrast of the ruins with the modern buildings and houses in the streets that surround the archaeological site.
Cost of the Huaca Pucllana Tickets
The Huaca Pucllana can be visited during the day or at night and the cost of the Huaca Pucllana Tickets varies according to this:
Cost of the Huaca Pucllana Tickets for daytime visits:
- Adults: 12 soles.
- Children up to 12 years: 6 soles.
Cost of the Huaca Pucllana Tickets for night visits:
- Adults: 15 soles.
- Children up to 12 years: 7.5 soles.
Schedule
Daytime visit: Wednesday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Night visit: From Wednesday to Sunday from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
During the night visit it will not be possible to reach the highest level of the pyramid for security reasons.
The Huaca Pucllana remains closed on January 1, May 1, July 28, December 25 and Good Friday.
How to get
By metropolitan bus to Angamos station. When leaving the station it is necessary to walk 7 blocks along Angamos Avenue in a west direction until you reach General Borgoño Street where you must cross to the right. You will immediately see the truncated pyramid.
In the same way, it is recommended to arrive through a taxi service to this place.
Huaca Pucllana Restaurant
Inside the archaeological site is the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant with its chef Marilú Madueño and her proposal of Peruvian food with modern style.
It is certainly a different experience to try these modern versions of typical Peruvian cuisine while admiring the ruins of the ancient inhabitants of Lima.
The Huaca Pucllana Restaurant is open every day from 12:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. where we recommend you to taste some of its specialties such as:
«Rocoto stuffed arequipeña»
Dessert perhaps the «lucuma mousse, crunchy red quinoa and double chocolate.»
Nearby Places
This archaeological site is located in the center of Miraflores, so very close you will find very good places to eat.
Likewise, a few minutes walk away is El Olivar Park.
If you travel to Perú, we also recommend you to visit another impressive destinations in the city of Cusco like the tour to rainbow mountain peru or the humantay lake tour from cusco, which only takes one day. But if you are gonna to stay more days in Cusco, other archaeological places you can know will be the choquequirao trek peru, the salkantay trek to machu picchu, and the classic inca trail 4 days 3 nights.
