Willcawain
an administrative center of the Recuay - Wari
Callejon de Huaylas, Ancash, Peru
about 1,000 A.D.
Willkahuain means 'House
of Grandchildren' in Quechua and consists of two temple sites about 10
minutes on foot apart They were built by the Huari (or Wari) people that
ruled Peru around 1000 AD (500 years before the Incas) based in the
central Andes. There
is a small entrance fee at the main ruin site. For something extra a
young guide will show you around.
The site consists of
stone buildings with small windows and doorways leading to a whole
number of inner chambers. The structures were built without mortar and
with small stone fillings between big rock to resist earthquakes better.
In some smaller tombs the human remains were found. In the smaller site
(Willcahuain Chico - just follow the road up) you can see stone shapes
of a lama and a condor in a temple wall.
You can get to
Willcawain and return by combi leaving from the Rio Quillcay bridge area in Huaraz,
about 2 soles each way. There are also walking routes. A taxi from
Huaraz to the Antamina complex at El Pinar costs 8 soles. From there
have a pleasant downhill walk before joining the combi route at the
bridge over quebrada ....... If you wish, leave the combi route again at
the top of the first hairpin above the quebrada, and follow the path and
irrigation ditch between stone walls up the ridge. You will need to ask
anyone you meet if you are still on the path to "las ruinas". The
local youth at the site will offer to guide you back down the path to
Monterrey for a fee. Some robberies are said to have occurred on this
path. North of the
main site you will see a football field just below. Cross that and walk
on up the hill through the grain fields. The guide Roger (2005) is
reliable and will take you on tours to other locations too.
Some locals are not
comfortable having you take their pictures, or will ask you for money.
Children may ask for "caramelos", so carry some hard candy in
your back-pack. |