Sao Bento Monastery - Church of Nossa Senhora De Montserrat

This church is considered the greatest expression of the Baroque in Rio. It was originally built 1565 under the name of St Benedict, but in 1602 renamed N.S de Montserrat. The monastery is known for its simplistic outside and ornate main chapel.

It has been recorded that the silver chandeliers in the church are 227 pounds each. There are carvings with baroque motifs covered with gold inlay, with rococo carvings present near the main alter.

Attached chapel

There is a chapel on the left of the main nave is a very simple chapel, with very little decoration or art.

Church of Nossa Senhora Da Candelaria

Church of Nossa Senhora Da Candelaria

Located in downtown Rio de Janeiro, this church was built on top of a chapel that allegedly was created by a sailor that had survived a shipwreck. The original chapel was made around 1650. Church of Nossa Senhora Da Candelaria was built around the 18th century. 

Ceiling Mural Church of Nossa.

It is one of the most famous church's in Rio and is very popular for weddings (apparently you need years of reservations). Inside the church it is a mixture between the early baroque and late renaissance style.

Stained glass in Nossa Senhora Da Cadelaria

Dome of Nossa Senhora Da Cadelaria

Sillustani

Sillustani Chullpa

Sillustani is on the peninsula of Umayo Atuncolla, it is nearby Puno, Peru. There is influence of Pukara (800 BC - 500AD) and influence of Qolla and Inca. These Chullpas were used as ceremonial towers, mostly for funerals or worship of the dead. The people of the town nearby bury there dead outside of town, using turret shaped tombs. Bodies were found in fetal position and mummified, not purposely mummified but the dry climate created the correct environment for mummification.

Chullpas being restored in Sillustani

"The Golden Sillustani" was so named when workers found 1280 objects of which 501 are gold. The pieces were different shapes and forms, with different techniques of decoration like embossing and drilling holes. 

There is a Lizard Chullpa that has a lizard carved on one side. The Chullpa is only partially built, either by design or it could be unfinished or destroyed by an earthquake. This Chullpa was built on the remains of Tiwanaku culture. 

Chullpa Igloo

Viceroy Toledo ordered all the graves removed from the ground and under to be moved and buried under the Chullpa. Apparently this was for all the people who died as heathens. The Chullpa Igloo is from the Late intermediate period.

Pukara

Pukara

Near Lake Titicaca's altiplano there was the ancient city of Pukara, it was a civic ceremony center approx. 400 BC. Pukara is known for its distinct pottery, with its different motifs of birds, llamas, felines, and humans. It is also known for the classic two bulls that you place onto of your finished house, this tradition of good luck and fertility is rumored to have started here.

House nearby Pukara ruins, bulls atop roof

Pukara's inhabitants were an organized city that engineered an irrigation system that would allow them to keep rainwater for longer and to tap into the water table moisture.

When the town of Pukara started expanding, and the church started to move in. The first move was to build a small chapel right onto of the Pukara ruins. This of course was not received well especially as time went on and people recognized the significance of their own heritage.

In Pukara human trophy heads were not unheard of and happened to be religiously significant. Human heads were a source of power, and also a trophy for good luck, fertility, abundant harvest and a sign of great prestige. Below is a carved stone that depicts a decapitated person, this is a common theme in art because of human sacrifices. This piece of art is supposed to give the impression of bravery and power.

Carved artwork in Museum

Saqsawaman

Saqsawaman

Saqsawaman

Located near Cusco, it has long been called the fortress with it's imposing zig zag wall it appears intimidating. In reality is was probably built for rituals or perhaps mock battles to celebrate. There is evidence of lots of store houses that were located on the open fields near by. There are three retaining walls that stretch at least 1300 ft. One of the walls contains mammoth carved boulders that look impossible to move without modern machinery. Even the Spaniards were impressed with this feat.

There was pottery found in nearby housing that suggests the that the workers were brought from the Lake Titikaka region.

The only time where this area was used as a fortress was during the Manco Pizarro siege. Manco was the Incan ruler that Pizarro actually appointed, once Manco realized that he could never actually rule under the spanish he started to recruit.

It is said that when Cuzco was built, it was designed in the shape of a Puma, in this scenario Saqsaywaman was the head and mane (zig zag).

Storehouse at Saqsawaman

Machu PIcchu

Machu Picchu

One of the seven wonders of the world, one of the most famous archaeological sights in South America. Machu Picchu is probably one of the greatest examples of Imperial style with a complete harmony for the geography. The picture shown below is a stone that was carved to mimic the mountain range behind it. It is estimated to have been built around 1450 AD.

Carved Rock in Machu Picchu

When Hiram Bingham brought Machu Picchu to attention around 1915 there were many theories that he proposed at to what Machu Picchu was used or built for. His main three theories were:

1) A place for the Chosen women or Sun Virgins to be trained for priestesses or brides for significant people.

2) Birthplace of the Incas

3) Historic town of Vilcambamba

Sadly as time went on and more researchers weighed in and looked at the evidence from not only the collection that Hiram Bingham collection, but at remains and likelihood of these theories became improbable. Currently archaeologists and researchers believe the Machu Picchu was a royal estate, that there was very little farming done despite the terraces surrounding it. It apparently was a place for drinking chicha (corn beer), there has been many vessels found for liquids. Dice have also been recovered and this suggests gaming, while metal balls that would have been sewn to clothes suggest dancing. This was a place relaxation and enjoyment - after its initial construction. 177 remains were found in graves around Machu Picchu, when examined there was a rich diet of corn which is considered a high status crop. This is an example of what indicates a royal estate. It is estimated that 750 people resided here, with few craftsmen among them. 

Machu Picchu looks to have been abandoned when the Spanish came, mostly because the city relied so heavily with the connection to Cuzco so when the Spaniards came and broke off that main connection inhabitants took there belongings and found new homes. 

Machu Picchu is home to some of the most iconic symbols of Incan architecture, with trapezoid windows, ingenious irrigation, use of natural rock formation and double jamed doorways. 

View from Machu Picchu