Travel Guide Fuerte De Samaipata

Located 5 km from Samaipata, coming from Santa Cruz, El Fuerte (the fort), as it is commonly called, is the most important archaeological monument of the Oriente. At an altitude of almost 1,920 m, this rocky site marks the meeting point between the end of the Andean foothills and the beginning of the Oriente plains. This ceremonial and administrative complex of the pre-Hispanic period is registered with the Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity of Unesco since 1998 The ceremonial sector, El Fuerte, is made up of a large monolithic sandstone rock 220 m long and 65 m wide. This structure is entirely carved and there are representations of animals (snake, puma, jaguar), geometric forms, channels and other mystico-religious figures. The canals were used to transport water for purification and fertility rites. There would also be astronomical figures. El Fuerte is crossed in its centre by two vertical grooves. The natives say that, in the past, horses of fire used it as a platform to rise to the sky. This legend provided material for Erich von Däniken's theories about the presence of extraterrestrials in Bolivia. The site is protected and fortunately it is no longer possible to climb the rock, as the crumbling terrain has already caused the disappearance of several motifs. Several watchtowers, located at strategic places, allow to observe the monument. The administrative sector, although less impressive, is not without interest. It is made up of architectural remains from different periods: cultural, agricultural and commercial buildings, administrative buildings and military posts.