Muisca ceremonies and rituals were carried out in places full of unique features. In these
spaces they performed offerings to gods, caciques or community members were buried,
and the new cognizant and priests were instructed.
El Dorado Legend Route incorporates places that keep a deep symbolic and geographical
connection with ancient ceremonies and rituals. Based on the sky, sun, moon, and starts
observation, Muiscas predicted and determined the best times to do offerings, oblations,
sowings and harvests.
Likewise, they conferred places a meaning that nowadays represent the Muisca sense like
the Cusmuy: circular ceremonial structures built with guaiacum and straw-covered which
“are the body as a reflection of the world and territory where each element meets a
purpose. The same way, it is home; it is the school, where around the fire we listen to the
words shared in our hearts. It is the place where we form ourselves like people that take
care and prolong the masterpiece” (Plan de vida, Comunidad de Sesquilé)
Centuries ago, Muisca organization happened in “cercados”. Places of social encounters
surrounded by two or three fences, where the Cacique´s main house was located, and had
rooms for wives, warriors or priests and supplies warehouses. The “cercados” represented
protection and were sacred places full of an important spiritual and ceremonial energy.
Besides, El Dorado Legend Route covers mistic places like “Los Cojínes del Zaque”,
which is a complex center of solar worshipping settled down on a slope in Tunja (Boyacá).
This place has a strategic astronomic disposition. It was a ceremonial center and operated
like observatory and sacrifices altar. In the heart of it, two aligned mounds stand out
eastwards (just where the sun raises) that were actually carved with the same rock that
pops up from the hill. Muisca´s structures are still enigmatic for experts and visitors.
Some ceremonies keep being a mystery for scholars of Muisca culture; however, it is clear
there was an element loaded of particular symbolic value: Gold. To Muiscas, more than a
material, the gold had a spiritual distinction; many items (tunjos, ajuares, santillos and
others) were made to be offered in specific rituals and ceremony centers.
El Dorado Legend route includes the symbolic and spiritual gold sense and some other
elements in places such as: The Sun Temple, Lakes Iguaque and Tota in Boyacá; Lakes
Guatavita, Siecha, Fúquene y Ubaté in Cundinamarca; Mountains of Tensacá
(Monserrate) Chiguachía (Guadalupe); Gold Museum and Archeological Museum in
Bogotá.
