Huaca del Dragón facts for kids
The Huaca del Dragon, also known as the Huaca del Arco Iris (Rainbow Temple), is an ancient archeological site in Peru. It's located near the city of Trujillo and the famous ancient city of Chan Chan. This large structure was once a very important place for religious ceremonies, government activities, and community gatherings for the ancient Chimu people.
The Huaca del Dragon is built from adobe bricks, which are sun-dried mud bricks. Its walls are decorated with amazing carvings called friezes. These carvings show human-like figures and symbols, especially a large rainbow, which is why it's also called the Rainbow Temple.
Contents
Exploring the Huaca
When you visit the Huaca del Dragon, you'll find its design is quite interesting.
Main Entrance and First Level
To enter the Huaca, visitors walk up a long ramp. This ramp leads to the first main level of the site. On the walls here, you can see detailed carvings that look like dragons or mythical creatures. These carvings are what gave the site its name, "Huaca del Dragon."
Second Level and Storage Areas
From the first level, a smaller ramp takes you up to the second level. This part of the Huaca has several deep pits. Experts believe these pits were probably used to store food and other important supplies for the community. This shows that the Huaca was not just a religious place but also a practical center for daily life.
Who Built the Huaca?
The Huaca del Dragon was built by the ancient Chimu culture. The Chimu people lived in this part of Peru long before the Inca Empire. They were skilled builders and artists, known for their large adobe cities and beautiful pottery and metalwork. The Huaca del Dragon is a great example of their impressive architecture and their beliefs.
See also
- Chan Chan
- Chimu
- Huaca del Sol
- Huaca Esmeralda
- Iperu, tourist information and assistance
- Tourism in Peru
