Pachacamac contained an oracle and was considered to be a vastly important religious center, attracting pilgrams from across the central and coastal Andes. It was looted by the Spaniards, and after their conquest of Peru, lost its power and influence.
The site today is located just south of Lima on the Pacific coast. It is situated in the desert but next to a green valley formed by the Lurin River. There is a modern town called Lurin that is next to the archeological site, offering an interesting contrast of old and new.
Pachacamac originally covered several square miles. Today, it is still a vast site. Much of it remains unexcavated and just resembles big hills and mounds. But there are multiple large structures that have been at least partially uncovered and restored. They include a building that housed sacred women priestesses, several pyramids that were thought to serve as administrative palaces, and some temples. There is a huge Temple of the Sun, built by the Incas, which faces the see and was used for sacrifices and other ceremonies. It's supposed to be associated with the one that appears in the Tintin books. I'll have to double-check.
Unfortunately, Pachacamac is not terribly photogenic. Much of it is blocked off to visitors, so you can't even get close to the few places where there are remains of frescoes and designs. Mainly, you just get an impression of the scale of the place and its layout. Pretty impressive, nonetheless.
Temple of the Sun.
They placed mummies of priests and leaders in the niches for official ceremonies.
Village of Lurin seen from Pachacamac ruins.
Temple for sacred women (priestesses). The only men allowed inside were eunochs.
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