Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida (Spanish, translated Lost City ) is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia and is adjacent to Machu Picchu one of the largest pre-Columbian city in South America rediscovered.

Other designations are

  • Buritaca 2000 ( Archaeological name)
  • Teyuna ( indigenous name)

Location and size

The ruined city is located about 40 km southeast of Santa Marta heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the upper valley of the Río Buritaca, covers an area of ​​about 2 square kilometers and consists of about 200 oval and round terraces that by partly by steep, exposed flat stone paths are connected together, the difference in height of the individual terraces of up to twelve meters. The now exposed portion of the city lies between 900 and 1200 m above sea level. NN.

History

The majority of the city was built between the 11th and 16th centuries, although the actual origins become older. The estimated population size was to weddings 2,000-8,000 members of the indigenous people Tairona, had the city shortly after the arrival of the Spaniards to retire due to the spread of disease. The Spaniards themselves have never set foot in the city in spite of trade with the Tairona.

Only in 1975 was the "lost city " re-discovered and looted by grave robbers. Thereafter, during the boom period (1960-1980) of Cannabis sativa grown on the platforms of the city marijuana in the region. A year later, the Colombian government sent an archaeological expedition, which was to protect the city from further destruction. Today is located in the city a permanent archaeological base. A small part of the remaining artifacts can be seen in Cartagena at the Museo de Oro and Santa Marta in the local Museo de Oro.

Traffic

In the central square, who is now living in the Sierra Kogi and Arhuaco as sacred, despite violent protests by the Kogi, a helipad was set up.

Alternatively, the city reached on a hike. The tour can be booked for tourists only through agencies with licensed guides. The cost is equivalent to about 240 euros. An amount of about 8 euros (20,000 kol. Pesos) per tourist goes to the natives living there. The walk to the abandoned city lasts three days, and leads through the jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. From La Tagua it passes through tropical rain forest, cloud forest at higher altitudes to Filo Cartagena. On the second day of smaller rivers and streams are passed. You walk up to Alto de Mira. Be the next day several times must the Buritaca River crossing (of the Lost City and its scientific name " Buritaca 2000" ), which may be almost impossible during the rainy season. The last 200 meters are overcome by a steep stone staircase with 1,200 steps until you arrive in the indigenous town in the last camp. It will run daily distances of a few kilometers, which can be stressful, because during the rainy season the roads are muddy and slippery. The way back is usually committed in two days. The total distance is about running 20 km each way.

Political situation in the region

The region is declared by the Government of Colombia Indigenous land. Nevertheless, the development by settlers who live around the Sierra Nevada spreads out on. The indigenous people are forced to retreat further and further into the mountains. Much of the Sierra Nevada is under the control of the guerrilla group FARC. Could during the end of 1999 on the way to Ciudad Perdida visitor groups still unmolested happen FARC checkpoints and tour guides insured that there was collusion between the organizers and the guerrilla, was kidnapped a group of tourists on their way to Ciudad Perdida of the guerrilla group ELN in September 2003. However, the group was on a hike in the Sierra Nevada and not in the immediate area of ​​the archaeological monument. The security situation has eased significantly in recent years, especially in the cutting area of the provinces of La Guajira Magdalena and so a visit to the Ciudad Perdida itself is possible (as of April 2011). Furthermore, the Colombian military patrols along the way (as of April 2011).

11th century 16th century Cartagena, Colombia Arhuaco people
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