Sun Temple (Sogamoso)

Sun Temple
Reconstruction of the Sun Temple
Archaeology Museum, Sogamoso
Sun Temple (Sogamoso) is located in Colombia
Sun Temple (Sogamoso)
Location within Colombia
LocationSogamoso, Boyacá
RegionAltiplano Cundiboyacense,
 Colombia
Coordinates5°42′34.57″N 72°55′34.98″W / 5.7096028°N 72.9263833°W / 5.7096028; -72.9263833
Altitude2,503 m (8,212 ft)[1]
TypeTemple
Part ofArchaeology Museum, Sogamoso
Muisca sites
Height18 metres (59 ft)
History
MaterialWood, clay, reed
AbandonedSpanish conquest
PeriodsLate Muisca
CulturesMuisca
Satellite ofSugamuxi
Associated withSugamuxi
Site notes
Excavation dates1942
ArchaeologistsEliécer Silva Celis
ConditionDestroyed, reconstructed
Public accessYes

The Sun Temple of Sogamoso was a temple constructed by the Muisca as a place of worship for their Sun god Sué. The temple was built in Sogamoso, Colombia, then part of the Muisca Confederation and called Sugamuxi. It was the most important temple in the religion of the Muisca. The temple was destroyed by fire brought by the Spanish conquistadores led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada who was eager to find the legendary El Dorado.[2] A reconstruction has been built in the Archeology Museum of Sogamoso.

  1. ^ Google Maps Elevation Finder
  2. ^ Ocampo López, 2013, Ch.1, p.18