Horca del Inca

The Horca del Inca ("Inca Gallows") in Copacabana is an interesting trilithic structure used for astronomical purposes by the pre-Incan Chiripa people.

Despite its name, the Horca del Inca was built by the pre-Inca Chiripa culture in the 14th century BC as an astronomical observatory. Rituals on the winter soltice June 21 were also held here.

When the Spanish came along, they destroyed some of the site in the hopes of finding gold hidden there. Noting its resemblence to a gallows and mistakenly associating it with the Incas, they gave the monument its present name.

The trilithic (three-rock) structure resembles a gallows, hence its popular name. Between the two naturally upright rocks, the Chiripa builders placed seven horizontal rock slabs in precise positions that would enable observation of the heavenly bodies. On the equinoxes, the sun can be viewed as it reflects off the rocks.

There is only one cross-piece left in position today, thanks to the Spanish, and unfortunately the rocks have been decorated with graffiti. However, the ancient site still has plenty of ambience as well as fine views of Lake Titicaca and the town of Copacabana.