In Aymara “relic of the moon (due to the grey color of its soil)”.
This archaeological complex is located in the municipality of Putre, about 100km northeast of Arica and at 3.000m above sea level within the region of Arica and Parinacota. Copaquilla, which in Quechua means “grey dust”, was built during the 12th century for defense purposes. The fort sits on the edge of a cliff, protected by a stone wall.
The double-wall of this listed National Monument illustrates the defense function of the fortress. The inner construction is composed of about 400 circular walls and a stone floor.
Behind the fort, a cliff drops down into a 150m deep canyon, where you can observe the typical terrace cultivation of the highlands. Also, the fort offers views on the Lluta Valley and the place where the valley originates. Walking up to a small viewpoint, you can enjoy impressions of the Pukará from above and its surroundings.
Today, the fortress is easily accessible via the route 11-CH, which is the road that connects Arica to the Lago Chungará and the Bolivian border. In 1983, when the government started efforts on preserving important cultural and archaeological places, the Pukará Copaquilla was officially declared Historical National Monument.