In a culture that worshipped the sun, dark and cavernous Salapunco denotes an intriguing change. A collection of small caves that once held Inca mummies, Salapunco is thought to have been devoted to the worship of the moon. Inside each of the caves were altars and walls decorated with puma and snake motifs, the Inca symbols for earth and the underworld, respectively. The largest cavern saw elaborate full-moon ceremonies in Inca times. The position of the entrance allows the interior to be bathed once a month by the light of the moon. Unfortunately all the mummies are long gone.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip