In the depths of the Sierra Nevada jungle are the ruins of a ‘lost’ city. La Ciudad Perdida or ‘Lost City’ is one of archaeology’s largest finds this century, discovered in the 70’s by treasure hunters, it is thought to have been founded around 800AD. Like its neighbour Machu Picchu, the city was built up high, on terraces cut out of the mountains and could only be reached by climbing more than a thousand steps thorough thick jungle and crawling through carved tunnels (the idea was that the local could hear people approaching.). The roads are narrow and tiled and rather than town squares, La Ciudad Perdida has town circles. Local Indian groups have since said they have known about the city for generations, and used it extensively before it was ‘discovered’. Archaeologists think it must have been a regional capital, home to up to 8,000 people, but its people fled before the Spanish showed up, which may be why gold statues and jewellery were found here still. It’s impossible to visit the city on your own, you have to go with a tour company. Eight tourists were kidnapped here in 2003, to be safely ransomed later, so get advise on the current situation before seriously considering a visit.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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