The town of Tiwanaku is loacted on the southern bank of Lake Titicaca along the road to Desaguadero, about 74 km (46 miles) from La Paz, and 3880m (12730 ft) above sea level. The archeological ruins of Tiwanaku are concentrated about 500 meters outside town. They were once the ceremonial center and principal city of one of the largest pre-Inca cultures.

The Culture Of Tiwanaku
The Tiwanaku culture developed over a period of three thousand years (1500 BC to 1200 AD), achieving a notable expansion and influence in the Andean world. The principal urban center may have stretched some 11 square km (4.25 square miles). The majority of the constructions were mud houses, so they eroded away with the passing of time. Only the most important temples and palaces remain, which were built of stones, some enormous and of impressive workmanship.
Museums
THE STONE MUSEUM Our visit will begin in the Stone Museum, a modern museum that brings together monolithic stones, among them the Bennett, or Pachamama. It was carried to La Paz, where it remained for more than half a century, before returning here to its place of origin in 2002.
The Ceramic Museum
This museum houses an interesting exposition of archeoligical pieces discovered in the region and are displayed chronologically. The archeological area is divided into two groups. The main group is the temples and palaces, located around the temple of Akapana. The other group is that related to PUMA PUNCU.
The Modern Town Of Tiwanaku.
Here if you look closely you will notice that much of the modern town of Tiwanaku was built from stones taken from the ancient ruins.
Church Of Tiwanaku
Completed in 1612, the church has a pulpit and retablo from the 17th century and a beautiful altar of silver, similar to the altar of Jesús de Machaca, built during the same time. It is one of the most important of the region.