 Statue representingGoranchacha, who ordered the construction of the temple | |
  Location within Colombia | |
| Location | Tunja,Boyacá |
|---|---|
| Region | Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Colombia |
| Coordinates | 5°33′8.84″N73°21′27.76″W / 5.5524556°N 73.3577111°W /5.5524556; -73.3577111 |
| Altitude | 2,693 m (8,835 ft)[1] |
| Type | Religious site |
| Part of | Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Muisca sites |
| History | |
| Abandoned | Spanish conquest |
| Periods | (Pre-)Muisca |
| Cultures | Muisca |
| Satellite of | Hunza |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Gregorio Hernández de Alba |
| Condition | Parts excavated |
| Public access | Yes |
TheGoranchacha Temple (Spanish:Templo de Goranchacha) is an archeological site of theMuisca located in the city ofTunja,Boyacá, which in the time of theMuisca Confederation was called Hunza. The temple is named after themythologicalGoranchacha. The remains of the temple are located on the terrain of thePedagogical and Technological University of Colombia in Tunja.ScholarJavier Ocampo López has written about the temple and itsreligious meaning.[2] Knowledge about the temple has been provided by chroniclerPedro Simón.[3]
During the time before theSpanish conquest of the Muisca, the central highlands of the ColombianAndes (Altiplano Cundiboyacense) were populated by the Muisca. This advanced civilization had its own religion and rituals, centered around the most important deities Sué and Chía. The northern territories were ruled by theiraca ofSugamuxi, thetundama ofTundama and thezaque based in Hunza.
Goranchacha was a mythicalcacique who moved the capital of the northern Muisca fromRamiriquí to Hunza and was feared by the people, ruling as a dictator.[2][4]
The Goranchacha Temple was allegedly constructed of two circular structures of rocks, reed and wood, transported from the farthest regions of theMuisca Confederation. In the centre was placed a column to support the roof.[3] Goranchacha ordered the temple to be built to worship his father;Sué, the God of the Sun. Thecacique organised pilgrimages to the temple passing over painted cotton mantles and adorned with flower petals.[5] At the templeofferings were made.[3]
Pedro Simón wrote about the temple:[3]
"Cerca de las postreras casas del pueblo a la parte del norte donde ahora llaman las cuadras de Porras, hizo edificar un templo a su padre el Sol donde lo hacía venerar con frecuentes sacrificios..."
"Close to the farthest houses of the village in the northern part where today it's called Porras quarter, he ordered the construction of a temple to his father, the Sun, where he venerated him with frequent sacrifices..."
The location of the temple was found using this description in 1937 by Colombianarchaeologist Gregorio Hernández de Alba (1904–1973). He excavated the site.[3][6]
Today, the remains of the temple are part of theUniversidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia in Tunja.
