- Address: San Agustin, Uila, Colombia
- Phone: +57 311 6022459
- Website: icanh.gov.co
Colombia is a country whose inhabitants named their state after the famous navigator and discoverer of America, although ironically, Christopher Columbus himself was never on this earth. Nevertheless, the whole story for Colombians has long been divided into pre-Columbian period and after. With the greatest respect, the locals refer to archaeological finds and stone antiquities, the collection of which is the San Agustin Park. This is one of the most important places for Colombia, which attracts not only tourists, but also scientists from all over the world.
Description of the park of San Agustin
San Agustin is the National Archaeological Park of Colombia , located in the south of the country. Here you can find a large number of stone statues, sculptures and monuments found by archaeologists, as well as religious buildings dating back to the time of the Aztecs.
The Archaeological Park of San Agustin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, and is also a major tourist source of income for the local treasury. Look at the ancient stone statues come as scholars and tourists from all over the world, and the Colombians themselves.
Local climate is considered to be favorable for rest and soft, without sharp changes: the average annual temperature does not fall below +18 ° С. Not far from the National Park is the town of the same name - the city of San Agustin, where most tourists stay before visiting archaeological statues.
What is interesting about the archaeological park?
In the park of San Agustin, a lot of stone sculptures are collected: unusual figures of people, animals, lizards and objects. Some of the figures rise above the tombs, guarding them. On the territory of the park, many of the burial places of the ancient civilization were preserved. About 35 of the most prominent specimens are collected in one group called the "Forest of Statues". These are beautiful and unusual stone finds. Between them a path connects them, so that the tourists do not get lost and can fully inspect everything. In total, more than 500 ancient statues are found in the valley, the sizes of which vary from 20 cm to 7 m.
There is in the archaeological park of San Agustin and a place for rituals - the Source of Ablution. This is a real ritual circle, where many centuries ago priests held religious holidays and ceremonies in honor of the Goddess of water. On the territory of the park is also organized the Archaeological Museum, where the found ceramic finds and other small items are located.
How to get to the park of San Agustin?
The archaeological park is located on the territory of the Department of Uila near the homonymous small settlement. From the capital of the department of the city of Neiva to the city of San Agustin about 227 km of the road. You can also go by the department of Cauca, it starts near the park.
But from the city of San Agustin to the national park you can reach:
- by taxi;
- rented transport ;
- as part of an organized excursion .
For all comers, the archaeological park of San Agustin in Colombia is open daily at 8:00 to 17:00 except Tuesday.