Samaipata

The ruins called El Fuerte, or The Fort, are Bolivia´s best preserved ruins to date. Located by the town of Samaipata, department of Santa Cruz, it is also one of Bolivia´s most frequented tourist destinations.

Not much is known about the origins of the site, only that it pre-dates Incan settlment by thousands of years or more. It was thought by the Spanish conquistadors to be a fort due to its hilltop placement, but that theory has been disproved. More likely it was a vast temple complex, with the most prominent figures being the Jaguar and the Serpent. These zoological forms and others are carved into the rock. Also present in the rock spine are a complex system of canals, depressions, holes, zig-zags, cisterns, niches for dieties, and a whole lot of unexplainable forms.

It also shows Incan settlment with its great hall (second largest in Bolivia), immense plaza, market, and housing. On top of that is remnants of Spanish domination.

Less than a third of the entire site has been excavated.

Panorama of "El Fuerte"

One theory describes the site as a sort of airstrip for extraterrestrials. Go figure.

Incan housing.

Surrounding landscape, looking towards the south end of Parque Amboró

Second largest Incan great hall in Bolivia. The eight lumps on the right side are the columns that used to open up to the huge town plaza.

Example of the extensive carving on the rock spine.

More niches for idols.

Leaving the site at sunset.

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