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The Kuelap Fortress
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 This
mystic fortress was built by the Chachapoya Cloud people.
Kuelap is twice as old as
the Inca Empire and its stonework remains in remarkably good condition.
It was built by the Chachapoyan Cloud People (most likely) to stop the
invasion of the Andes most spectacular Tiahunaco/ Huari Empire advancing
from Bolivia. This Huari Empire was known as “the Golden City Building
Era of Peru”, whereas the Chachapoyans were a small regional confederation
who built all their citadels on defensive peaks in the clouds. The
Chachapoyans origin is unknown and later reported by the Inca Chronicles
to be tall “fair” warriors.
Location of Kuelap
Kuelap was built upon the
stone cap of a huge mountain peak overlooking the Utcabamba River.
It is thought to be located to defend the Choctomal valley. This valley
goes over the Abra Yumal pass and drops to the many ruins and citadels
of Gran Vilaya, “birthplace of the Amazon”.
The Kuelap environment
Kuelap is at a mild elevation
of 3000 meters, or just under 10,000 feet. The climate and vegetation give
the feeling of an eternal spring. Almost continuous clouds and mist
above and below it create a biosphere. Millions of orchids and bromeliads
cover the 400 stone buildings inside of the 3rd, 4th and 5th levels of
soaring walls that are inside of the other walls. Many of the buildings
are decorated with elaborate stone geometric designs.
 Interesting
stone structures inside the fortress
Kuelap contains many surprises
such as a mysterious tinador (ink well) structure defying gravity.
Many believe this to be a mystic oracle where shaman gathered under its
lens at special times to forecast events. Another object is a symmetric
eight pointed star with its longer alternating points pointing exactly
to the north, south, east and west. Then at the north end of the fortress
is a high stone tower mitador (lookout). From here signals could
be sent to the Choctomal Citadel that would in turn relay the signal around
the valley’s curve to the Abra Yumal Pass, then relayed down to Gran Vilaya.
Defensive features of
Kuelap
Kuelap has gigantic open
doorways through the five walls that range from one to two telephone poles
in height. Its main 2nd level walls have 3 doors opening to wide
passageways going steeply uphill inside. Since the walls are too high to
scale or raise ladders to access, these doors would seem the logical way
for an enemy to storm inside. However once inside, the defenders
on top of this passageway would rain down death to the attackers. They
would discover too late that this passageway narrowed down at the top end
to where only one person at a time could squeeze inside the citadel.
Alternative spellings.
Kuelap is also spelt Cuelap,
Cuélap and Kuélap.
For more information on Kuelap,
go to the www.kuelapperu.com
website.
Copyright Los Tambos Chachapoyanos
© 2000 - 2008
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