Pozo de Hunzahúa

Hunzahúa, the Muisca leader who founded Hunza (Tunja), fell in love with his beautiful sister Noncetá, much beloved by her people. During a journey, they consumated their love and became husband and wife. When their mother, Faravita, discovered the act, she beat Noncetá with the chicha-making paddle. The chicha urn broke, spilling its endless contents, thus forming this little lake now known as Pozo de Hunzahúa. For the Muisca, it was a holy place; gold was offered to its depths. Their leader Quemuenchatocha ordered all gold and emeralds to be thrown in, to save them from the avaricious Spanish conquerors. An early colonizer, Jerónimo Donato, had the pool drained to retrieve the treasure--but to no avail. Around the park stellae relate the Muisca culture.

Location:
Avenida Norte, just past Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC)
Tunja, Colombia

Ruin

Getting There
On Carrera 12, downtown, take a Muiscas bus; alight at the pedestrian overpass at Iglesia Santa Inés, just past the railroad station ($0.45 one way). The Pozo is on the other side of the road, next to the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colomb

Price Description: Free.

Relative price: Free

Open Hours from:Dawn

Open Hours to:Dusk

Travel Skills: None

Restaurante Pizza Nostra, on the grounds of the park, is highly recommended by locals.

Los Cojines del Zaque (Calle 22 and Carrera 20) is another Muisca site, consisting of two massive circular stones that may have been thrones of their leaders or sacrificial altars. It is said to in an unpleasant neighborhood and to be much neglected.

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began traipsing throughout...

Created: 11 Jan 2008

Updated: 21 May 2009

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