Guatavita and the Legend of El Dorado
Located in the northern part of South America, the country of Colombia is enticing for its legends and lakes. One of these is Lake Guatavita and the legend of El Dorado. The Laguna de Guatavita is located just 75 kilometers (35 miles) north of the country’s capital, Bogota.
The quaint towns nearby, the reservoirs, the beautiful scenery, and the legend itself make this a great place to visit whether you are by yourself or with your family. The original city of Guatavita is now covered by the lake and used to be the religious capital city of the Musica people who were known for their metal crafts. They used to worship a goddess called Chie during rich ceremonies that brought about the rise of the legend of El Dorado. The chief would cover himself with gold dust and ride a raft out to the middle of the lake with jewelery and other gold artifacts that had been collected from the villagers. He and three to four priests would then throw the gold into the lake. He would then dunk himself under the water to wash off the gold dust. This ritual was believed to bring the people closer to the gods.
Throughout the centuries since the Conquistadors, several gold artifacts have been found at the bottom of the lake, proving this legend true. In the 1960s a new town was built that is now considered to be an architectural heritage site. Residential buildings have been designed in a symmetrical fashion with ceramic tile roofs and white walls, while the city buildings are connected by streets made out of flagstone and cobblestone. During leisurely walks through the town, both residents and visitors alike can see indications of the legend’s events engraved in buildings or from a guide who is more than happy to pass along the story. Any trip to Guatativa should include a visit to the lake itself where you can enjoy many water sports on the lake, bird watching, or just walking around the lake. A visit to the area should also include a walking trip through the quaint town where you can see history come alive by modern crafters working with the local clay and raw wool.