Culture Minister Leslie Urteaga highlighted that the monumental archaeological zone of Kuelap has officially reopened to domestic and foreign tourists, noting that visitors, in general, will be able to enter the area free of charge until December 31, 2023, to enjoy the impressive legacy left by the Chachapoyas people.
“We are really very happy. This has been a constant effort, both in technical and financial terms. When we took office, we found that some studies had been conducted. I have to thank the International Cooperation, international organizations, and the academy,” she remarked.
“Kuelap is a fairly large archaeological zone, but it has a main part, a core area, the Fortress, which has been closed precisely during these months, and today (August 19) we can say that the first visitors are already entering the area,” the government official said on Saturday.
The Culture sector’s head stated that the government of President Dina Boluarte is committed to preserving this archaeological jewel and supporting economic recovery efforts in the region of Amazonas.
“We have continued carrying out waterproofing works in the affected areas and restoring the Fortress, which was closed because there were no safe conditions for this visit,” she said.
The minister underscored that up to 144 visitors will be allowed per day in this restricted area.
To that end, she asked the public to schedule their visits in advance.
As is known, the monumental archaeological zone of Kuelap reopened to domestic and foreign tourists on Saturday.
According to the provisions of the Ministry of Culture, visitors must enter the area in groups of 12, every 45 minutes, in order to continue preserving and working on the preservation of the most important cultural heritage site and tourist attraction in the rainforest region of Amazonas.
Thus, visitors entering the Llaqta, commonly referred to as La Fortaleza (The Fortress), will be able to learn about its architecture including impressive friezes, ways of life, mortuary and religious practices of the Chachapoyas people, in addition to research and conservation works that are being carried out.
Free admission
As established by Ministerial Resolution No. 000308-2023-MC published on August 16 in the Official Gazette El Peruano, the zero-cost rate will apply to national visitors, foreigners residing in the country, and citizens of the Andean Community wishing to enter the monumental archaeological zone of Kuelap and the Fortress from August 19 to December 31, 2023.
Moreover, the rest of the public will be able to visit the Interpretation Center and a replica of the Chachapoyas House for free, as well as see the façade of the Llaqta.
Conservation, research, maintenance, recovery, and stabilization works will continue in parallel, not only at the Llaqta, but also in other monuments within the area.
In this regard, President Boluarte stated that “the Fortress of Kuelap is once again in the national and global spotlight.”
“We all can enjoy this cultural and historical attraction. Our government is committed to the protection of the Nation’s cultural heritage, even more so of the monumental archaeological zone of Kuelap, which is inscribed on the Indicative List of UNESCO World Heritage,” she said last Wednesday during the ceremony marking the reopening of the fortress.