Overview:

Ciudad Perdida - Santa Marta In Colombia is an ancient city located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range in northern Colombia. The site is just south from Palomino on the Caribbean Coast. It is believed to have been founded by the Tairona culture in AD 800 and was discovered in 1972 by looters. Today it is an important archaeological site that remains largely unexplored. Ciudad Perdida is situated on the ridge of the mountain range at 1000 meters above sea level. There are six stepped terraces up the mountain, that are believed to symbolize the spiritual pilgrimage of life that all are expected to make through various steps. The major feature of the city is its twelve steep stone paths and 169 terraces or sets of stairs. There are also several plazas and residential and religious buildings, along with artifacts and petroglyphs. Visitors usually hike the 6-7 hour round-trip trek up the mountainside to the ancient ruins. Ciudad Perdida's archaeological treasures remain largely unexplored, although there have been excavations in recent years. Due to its remote location, it is not as well known and visited as other sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Colombia
Prominent Features:

1. It is Located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a World Heritage-listed area with biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems. 2. It is the oldest Pre-Columbian archaeological site in South America, estimated to date back to 800 AD. 3. It is a series of steps carved into the mountainside, believed to have been built by the Tayrona people as an important social and religious center. 4. It is home to an elaborate network of terraces and plazas, as well as an astronomical observatory. 5. It offers breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Caribbean sea. 6. The site has a rich cultural history, with archaeology offering insights into the fertility cults, mythology, and spiritual practices that shaped Pre-Colombian society. 7. It is only accessible through a challenging, four-day hike up a narrow, winding mountain trail. This national monument of Colombia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Ciudad Perdida (Spanish for "Lost City"), also known as Teyuna, is an ancient city believed to have been founded by the Tayrona people between the 11th and 13th centuries CE, located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains of modern-day Colombia's Magdalena Department. The city, believed to be about 800 years old, is situated about 1380 meters (4530 feet) above sea level, within the boundaries of the Colombian government's indigenous reservation. The city's name is derived from the fact that it had remained abandoned and forgotten for centuries, until it was discovered in 1976 by a group of local treasure hunters. Archaeologists believe it may have once been the capital of the advanced Tayrona culture, one of the most developed cultures in pre-Columbian South America. The ruins of Ciudad Perdida are spread over an area of about 200 square kilometers (77 square miles). They include stone terraces, houses, maps, large plazas, and complex causeways. In its center, researchers have discovered a large circular plaza surrounded by stone terraces and measuring roughly 100 meters (328 feet) diameter. The Tayrona people, who are believed to have constructed and inhabited Ciudad Perdida, were advanced for their time. They built aqueducts to bring water to the city and are known to have manufactured intricately carved artifacts made from gold, silver, or ivory. Additionally, they were advanced agriculturally, as evidenced by the amount of terracing and other traces of cultivated fields Team found around Ciudad Perdida. Presently, Ciudad Perdida is sustainably maintained and managed by the indigenous people living in the area, and the ruins are open to tourism. Visitors can take part in a four or five day trek to the ruins, exploring the surrounding areas of stunning beauty and learning about the past and present of this incredible place. You must visit one of these historical places in Colombia on your Colombia tour

Interesting facts:

1. Ciudad Perdida (also known as Teyuna) is the largest archaeological site in Colombia and one of the most important in Latin America. It is located in the Department of Santa Marta, in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Natural National Park. 2. Ciudad Perdida is considered to be the oldest urban settlement in America, and is estimated to be about 800 years old. 3. The archaeological site is composed of 169 terra-cotta stairs that lead to the central plaza. Each of the terraces was surrounded by various structures such as houses, cemeteries, and sacred spaces. 4. Ciudad Perdida is believed to have been constructed by the Preceramic Era people of the Sierra Nevada in the 8th century as a ceremonial and religious center. 5. There is evidence that the site was used as an important political and commercial center until the Spanish Conquest in 1534. 6. Ciudad Perdida was discovered by modern-day explorers in 1972. The first organized exploration of the site happened in 1976, led by archaeologist Adriana Ayala. 7. Ciudad Perdida is located at the end of a challenging four to six-day trek, crossing the Buritaca River five times and scaling more than 1,200 steep steps. 8. The archaeological site is located in a dense jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation, making it unique and mysterious. 9. Ciudad Perdida is considered an important religious site by the indigenous tribes in the region and it is believed to be a magical and spiritual place. Visit one of the famous monuments of Colombia with your friends and family.