Pucara del Cerro La Muralla facts for kids

Pucará de Cerro La Muralla (which means "Fortress of Wall's Hill") is an ancient Inca fortress in Chile. It sits on top of a mountain, about five kilometers south of San Vicente de Tagua Tagua. This special place is thought to be the southernmost fort built by the Inca Empire.

History of the Fortress

The Inca Empire expanded into new lands, moving past the Choapa river. They reached the area where the Picunche people lived. Here, the Incas built several storage places and the strong fortress of Cerro La Muralla.

The fortress was built on a very important hilltop. It was close to a large lagoon, which is now dry. Its location between the Cachapoal River and Tinguiririca River was perfect. Experts believe the fort was used as a lookout point. From here, the Incas could watch over the northern valley. The nearby lagoon also helped protect the fort.

How the Fortress Was Built

On top of the hill, the walls of the fortress are shaped like an eagle flying. This design is similar to other Inca buildings. The Pucará has three strong defensive walls. It also has two areas where people lived. Many pieces of pottery and stone cups have been found here.

About 100 meters from the first wall, there is a flat area. This area might have been used for growing crops. We know the Incas built this fortress because of how the stones are cut into blocks. Also, the size of the rooms and the terraced shapes of some parts show Inca building styles. The fortress was connected to the Laguna de Tagua Tagua. It did not need a south wall because the lagoon protected that side.

Discoveries and Studies

Claudio Gay, a famous explorer, wrote about climbing Cerro La Muralla. He called it an Inca fortress even back then. In 1974, scientists from the Chilean National Museum of Natural History studied the site. They confirmed that this ancient fort was built before the Spanish arrived in Chile.

Why the Fortress Is Important Today

Near the fortress, there is a statue of the Virgin of Fátima. This is common from the time of the Spanish Conquest. Any place that was used for worshipping other gods was often covered with Catholic symbols. Every year, on the second Sunday of September, a special mass is held here. Many people come to this event. However, these gatherings can sometimes harm the old archaeological site.

Future Plans for the Site

In San Vicente of Tagua Tagua, there are plans for a new museum. This museum will help bring back and display the ancient items found at the site. These items were taken by researchers in the past. There are also plans to create small museums right at the site. In the future, there might be a controlled path for visitors to explore the Pucará of The Wall.

See also

In Spanish: Pucará del cerro La Muralla para niños

• The Chilean Inca Trail
• Huaca de Chena
• Pukara de La Compañia

Images for kids

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  This image shows the walls of the Pucará and how they relate to the hill and the lagoon before it dried up.