Tiawanacu: World Heritage, Murals and Handicrafts

Tiawanacu is a destination for culture enthusiasts: the World Heritage site of the Spiritual and Political Center, murals throughout the town, and community-based handicraft experiences offer different ways to explore Tiwanaku culture. Architecture and sculpture, art on building facades, and ceramics and textile work each offer a different focus—from looking to making something yourself.

Location and World Heritage

Within the wider destination of La Paz, Tiwanaku lies near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca in the Altiplano, at an altitude of 3,850 m in Ingavi Province. The Spiritual and Political Center of the Tiwanaku culture has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.

Its outstanding universal value includes the design and architectural mastery of its temples, as well as its monumental sculpture. Temple design and architecture, alongside sculpture, are therefore two central aspects of the cultural center.

Most of the ancient city of Tiwanaku, which was built mainly of adobe bricks, is covered by the modern town. The ancient city and the present-day town thus overlap in the built environment, drawing attention beyond individual monuments to the wider urban layout.

Murals throughout the town

Tourism-themed murals can be found on building facades around Tiwanaku’s main square, as well as at the Asociación Lechera, the Truffi stop, the Místico Ancestral handicrafts workshop, and the Centro de Interpretación de la Cultura Tiwanaku. Their locations extend beyond the main square to a range of facades and institutions. For travelers interested in art throughout the town as well as archaeological monuments, this offers another focus for exploring the area.

Experiences in the affiliated community

A guided walk with a local guide is among the visitor experiences described in the affiliated community. It leads on foot from the Kalasasaya archaeological site to the community of Ayllu Kasa Achuta. The local guide and the destination in the community make this experience different from exploring temple architecture and sculpture.

The experience El arte de los Qalawawasincludes ceramics and textile art. A master ceramicist shows visitors how to make their own piece featuring motifs from the Tiwanaku culture. Women artisans from the community demonstrate textile art and invite visitors to spin and weave on a traditional loom. This combines a demonstration with the opportunity to take part in the handicraft techniques described.

Nighttime visits and travel planning

A nighttime visit to the Tiwanaku archaeological site during the dry season from May to December was described starting in 2017. The ceremonial temples of Kalasasaya and Templete Semisubterráneo, as well as archaeological objects, were illuminated. If this visit is important to your plans, check in advance whether dates are available for your preferred period.

If you plan to take part in a community-based experience, also ask in advance about suitable dates.

Discover more destinations: Chulumani, Huatajata, Mecapaca, Comunidad Challapampa, La Paz, Huancané, Comunidad Yumani, Calacoto.

Return to the wider travel overview: La Paz.