Lost City
The Teyuna Archaeological Park, popularly known as Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), is one of the most iconic and fascinating sites in Colombia. This park is a clear example of the power that the past holds over our contemporary society. It is a place full of mystery, silence, and deep gaps in the history of a territory that was inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of the first Europeans to the New World. Despite progress in research, we still know very little about the Tairona, the culture that once thrived in this region. However, archaeological investigations at Ciudad Perdida and other areas of the Sierra Nevada continue to reveal new and valuable information about the Tairona and their legacy.
Since its official rediscovery in 1976, various archaeological projects have aimed to fill in these historical gaps and answer the questions raised by the monumental complexity of Teyuna. The information about the site is scattered across numerous reports, journal articles, and monographs. Therefore, this guide offers only a partial version of what we know—or believe we know—about these ancient societies that once inhabited the region.
We call it Ciudad Perdida, but Teyuna is the name given by the indigenous people who still live in the area. This ancient network of villages is nestled deep within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, at an altitude ranging from 900 to 1200 meters above sea level, along the Buritaca River. It served as the spiritual, political, and commercial center of the Tairona people until the arrival of the Spanish.
Ciudad Perdida is “a biodiversity landscape, terraces that do not exist anywhere else in the world, a living culture, such as the indigenous people who live there, beautiful rivers that originate in this area, and an exotic flora and fauna are the charms of Teyuna.”
Gabriel Tirado Muñoz, Head of the Sierra Nevada Park
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a unique mountain range in Colombia and the world. With an area of approximately 16,500 square kilometers, this mountain range rises from the Caribbean Sea to the snow-capped peaks of Colón and Bolívar, which reach 5,780 meters above sea level. Spanning just 38 kilometers, the Sierra Nevada is one of the highest coastal mountain ranges on the planet, offering a wide range of ecological and climatic conditions. Administratively, it covers parts of the Magdalena, La Guajira, and Cesar departments.
The region is known for its stunning biodiversity, driven by the different thermal floors that support more than 600 species of birds, many of which are endemic. The coastal zone around Santa Marta and the western side of the Tairona National Natural Park is characterized by an arid and semi-arid climate. However, as you ascend, the climate shifts to tropical humid forest, extending to about 2,000 meters in altitude, where temperatures range from 16°C to 28°C. Above 2,000 meters and up to 3,000 meters, the landscape is dominated by montane wet forests, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. Beyond 3,100 meters, you’ll find paramo and glacial moraines with typical vegetation like frailejones (Espeletia), low shrubs, mosses, lupines, and grasses.
The Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park is located on the northern face of the Sierra Nevada, about 900 to 1,200 meters above sea level, in the Buritaca River basin. The archaeological structures of Teyuna stretch across 30 hectares, situated on the ridges and slopes of a narrow hill that rises above the southern side of the river. The park is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest with towering trees and palms reaching heights of 30 to 40 meters. It is known that the forest regenerated after the Tairona abandoned these sites between 1580 and 1650 AD. Before this time, much of the slopes were covered with crops such as corn, cassava, and beans to feed the population.
Unlike other parts of the Sierra Nevada that have lost much of their forest cover, the density of the forest and the sparse human presence in this area also contribute to the wide variety of wildlife found in and around the park. Among the more than 628 bird species in the Sierra Nevada, which include many endemic species, it’s common to see toucans, hummingbirds, parrots, woodpeckers, guacharacas, and parakeets. Howler monkeys have also begun returning to Ciudad Perdida, after being affected by a yellow fever epidemic a few years ago. Their howls can often be heard in the morning as they move through the forest.
In the more remote areas, there are abundant rodents such as agoutis, including the guatinaja and ñeque species, as well as coatis, deer, peccaries, and wild cats such as jaguars and ocelots. Given the characteristics of the tropical rainforest, it is common to encounter snakes in the park, most of which are harmless, except for the mapaná (Bothrops atrox) and the coral (Micrurus), which are highly venomous.
In addition to its archaeological value, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park offer a unique experience for nature and history enthusiasts. The area is not only a conservation hub for biodiversity but also a refuge for those seeking to explore the deep-rooted history of pre-Columbian Colombia. The park is an essential destination for those wanting to learn more about the ancient Tairona culture while enjoying an adventure amidst lush nature.