South America
Peru
La Libertad Region
Moche
Things to do in Moche
La Huaca del Sol

La Huaca del Sol, Moche: Address, Phone Number, La Huaca del Sol Reviews: 4.5/5

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La Huaca del Sol

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La Huaca del Sol
4.5
from CA$22.33
1,420
#1 of 2 things to do in Moche
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4.5
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RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada7,067 contributions
Huaca de la Luna
Jan. 2020
We visited this area as part of our "Archaeological Trujillo" tour from the Holland Americ Volendam. The Huaca del Sol is an adobe brick temple built by the Moche civilization (100 CE to 800 CE) on the northern coast of what is now Peru. During the Spanish occupation of Peru in the early 17th century, colonists redirected the waters of the Moche River to run past the base of the Huaca del Sol in order to facilitate the looting of gold artifacts from the temple. The operation of the hydraulic mine greatly damaged the Huaca del Sol. In total, approximately two-thirds of the structure has been lost to erosion and such looting. We drove past this site on our way to and from the Huaca de la Luna but did not stop there. Our main stop was to the smaller but more interesting Huaca de la Luna or the temple of the moon. It is a large adobe brick structure built mainly by the Moche people. The Huaca de la Luna served primarily a ceremonial and religious function, though it contains burials as well. The eastern platform, black rock and adjacent patios were the sites of human sacrifice rituals. These are depicted in a variety of Moche visual arts, most notably painted ceramics. After the sacrifice, bodies of victims would be hurled over the side of the Huaca and left exposed in the patios. Researchers have discovered multiple skeletons of adult males at the foot of the rock, all of whom show signs of trauma, usually a severe blow to the head, as the cause of death.
Written March 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan M
Rio de Janeiro, RJ496 contributions
Visit Huaca de Luna and the Moche Museum!
Jul. 2019
We stopped here based on local recommendations and found an excellent museum in addition to the temple ruins. The museum, with signs in both Spanish and English, has an astounding display of Moche ceramics and also does a good job of explaining the culture (at least what is known or theorized). Next, the temple. Although you must use a guide to see it, there are English-speaking guides. It was large, constructed entirely of mud bricks, and impressive. My favorite aspect was the decorative paintings covering many walls. We did not go with a tour group; instead we asked our driver to stop there on our way to Huaraz.
Written December 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mike C
Guildford, UK972 contributions
Fascinating insight into the previous civilisations of this area
Nov. 2019
We went here on a tour from our cruise ship. We first saw La Huaca del Sol (Temple of the Sun) and then walked across the flat piece of ground separating it from La Huaca del Luna (Temple of the Moon). The Sun Temple is very large but if the two the most interesting one is the Moon Temple, another very large structure. We had a guided tour and it was explained to us the significance of the two structures. Inside the Moon Temple there are a lot of rooms that had different uses. The walls have been excavated to show the different ages of the buildings and the markings that you can still see. There is so much more still to be excavated and you can tell that when you see the small amount that has been done. This area was not just two huge structures, it was a city in its time. Between the two there is a visitor area where there are toilets and where you can buy drinks and souvenirs. This is a must if you are in the area.
Written November 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jamina On Tour
Hulste, Belgium381 contributions
How to get there by bus
Aug. 2019 • Solo
If you feel like going here by your own: go for it. When buying the entrance ticket, the guide is included already. You can choose to visist only the museum, the ruins or both. Tours are in English or Spanish. To get there, you have to take a van on avenida de los incas, the street Tupac Yunpanqui or at Ovalo Grau. There are 2 types: a blue one and a white with yellow that says 'Sol y Luna'. When you stop them, just ask: 'Huaca de la luna?' and smile. A ride costs 2 soles and is about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. There are always busses waiting at the museum and the ruins to take you back to Trujillo. The museum is interesting but the ruins are really amazing!!
Written August 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vermontsteve
Whitehouse, OH164 contributions
Wonderful Ruin to Visit!
Jul. 2019 • Family
I was Amaze what this place look like when it was in 1968 and what it is now. This place is really a must place to visit. We had a wonderful same tour guide that took us to the other ruins. There is so much to write about this place and have to be there to listen to the tour guide to get the complete history.
Written July 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrew C
6 contributions
Great!
Jul. 2019 • Solo
I highly recommend this tour, in Spanish or English. The guide was so helpful and friendly, and provided soooo much great and interesting information. He even helped me plan my excursions in Huaraz and Chachapoyas. Don't miss it!
Written July 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DMG
169 contributions
Must Go Place
Jul. 2019 • Couples
Amazing, amazing place! Ticket entitles you to a guided tour and museum access. There are tours in English. Easy to get to from Trujillo on public transport (colectivo) and very cheap. Our hostal told us where to get the bus from and they drop you off right outside the enterance. A must visit place.
Written July 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CorbySkinner
Billings, MT104 contributions
A cultural gem.
Jun. 2019 • Solo
Sadly, much of the damage to the site was done by vandals and weather years (many years!) ago. But restoration has preserved the one temple, and a tour is informative of the Moche culture. Good signage.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LimaLarry
Sebastopol, CA61 contributions
A jewel of the Moche civilization
Mar. 2019 • Family
A short drive outside the city of Trujillo, this complex encompasses the huaca del sol (sun) which remains un-excavated, a broad plain which was where the people lived, and the huaca de la luna (moon), the primary residence of the ruler. It is a ziggurat, with a new layer having been added about every one hundred years. The facade of the primary entrance to the temple has a distinguishing frieze motif along the length of the building, and each successive layer (there are five) has its own motif. When the huaca was first excavated over ten years ago these motifs revealed brilliant colors that now, despite roofing to protect against the sun, have largely faded. However similar friezes in the interior of the structure retain their colors. The cultural practices and iconography of the Mochica (or Moche) bear striking resemblance to those of the Maya giving the viewer the sense of the migration of cultures that took place from Central to South America.
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nicholas M
56 contributions
Interesting Moche history
May 2019 • Couples
A great half day trip from Trujillo. You can get there by public transport easily enough and the museum and huaca (only Luna when we were there as Sol was being worked on some more) for 15 soles is a good deal, especially as it includes a grouped guided tour of the huaca. Truly outstanding pottery in the museum as well. Well worth a visit!
Written May 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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