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Sun Temple (Sogamoso) facts for kids

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Sun Temple
Templo del sol.jpg
This is how the Sun Temple might have looked.
Archaeology Museum, Sogamoso
Sun Temple (Sogamoso) is located in Colombia
Sun Temple (Sogamoso)
Location in Colombia
Location Sogamoso, Boyacá
Region Altiplano Cundiboyacense,
 Colombia
Coordinates 5°42′34.57″N 72°55′34.98″W / 5.7096028°N 72.9263833°W / 5.7096028; -72.9263833
Altitude 2,503 m (8,212 ft)
Type Temple
Part of Archaeology Museum, Sogamoso
Muisca sites
Height 18 metres (59 ft)
History
Material Wood, clay, reed
Abandoned Spanish conquest
Periods Late Muisca
Cultures Muisca
Satellite of Sugamuxi
Associated with Sugamuxi
Site notes
Excavation dates 1942
Archaeologists Eliécer Silva Celis
Condition Destroyed, reconstructed
Public access Yes

The Sun Temple in Sogamoso was a special building. The Muisca built it to worship their Sun god, Sué. This temple was in Sogamoso, Colombia. Back then, this area was part of the Muisca Confederation. The Muisca called Sogamoso "Sugamuxi."

This temple was the most important place for the Muisca religion. But it was burned down by Spanish explorers. These explorers were led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. They were looking for the legendary city of gold, El Dorado. Today, a new version of the temple has been built. You can see it at the Archeology Museum in Sogamoso.

What the Sun Temple Looked Like

Escudo de Sogamoso
Coat of arms of Sogamoso; City of the Sun
Don Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada
Soldiers from Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesadas army accidentally destroyed the temple.

The Sun Temple was built next to the Monquirá River. It was a large, round building. Its walls were made of poles and clay. The roof was made of reed plants. The temple had no windows.

Inside, there were three circles of wooden columns. These columns came from trees in Casanare. The temple was built to represent the universe. It honored the Sun god Sué. Important Muisca leaders, called caciques, and priests were buried here.

Muisca Knowledge of the Stars

The Muisca people knew a lot about astronomy. They built many sites based on the stars. One such place, El Infiernito, still exists near Villa de Leyva. The Sun Temple was also built to line up with the Sun's positions.

Leaders like the caciques and zaques held ceremonies at the temple. A mythical figure named Idacansás led gatherings. During these events, special offerings were made. This made the city of Sugamuxi a very sacred place. Another mythical figure, Thomagata, was believed to travel between Tunja and the temple every night.

How the Temple Was Destroyed

Spanish explorer Jiménez de Quesada heard about the Sun Temple. He arrived in Sogamoso in September 1537. He planned to meet the cacique the next morning.

The Fire

That night, two of his soldiers were curious. Their names were Miguel Sánchez and Juan Rodríguez Parra. They went into the temple, using torches to see. Inside, they found many valuable items. They also saw mummies of old Muisca nobles. While they were taking some treasures, their torches accidentally set the temple on fire. The beautiful temple was completely destroyed.

Rebuilding the Sun Temple

In 1942, an archeologist named Eliécer Silva Celis made an important discovery. He found a Muisca cemetery in Sogamoso. It had tombs with preserved Muisca mummies.

Based on his findings, he found where the original temple stood. He then decided to build a new version of it.

The New Temple Today

The rebuilt temple is 18 metres (59 ft) tall. The designs in its dome tell a story. They show how Chiminigagua, the Muisca's Supreme Being, created the Earth. Small openings on the sides act like a calendar. Every year on December 22, sunlight shines directly on the main pillar.

Around the temple, the cemetery with mummies has also been rebuilt. These mummies were once inside the original temple. Today, the temple is part of the Archeology Museum of Sogamoso. The Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia in Tunja manages it.

Other Sun Temples Around the World

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Templo del Sol (Sogamoso) para niños

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