Viracachá is a town and municipality in the Márquez Province, Colombia, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. Viracachá is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at 22 km from the department capital Tunja and the small urban center at 2520 m above sea level. Other parts of Viracachá reach 3200 m. The municipality borders Siachoque, Rondón and Soracá in the north and east, in the south Ciénega and Ciénega, Soracá and Ramiriquí in the west.

Etymology

About the name Viracachá exist different interpretations. One interpretation says the name is derived from Quechua and means "air of the lake". Another attributes it to Chibcha meaning "lord of the enclosure of the wind".

History

In the centuries before the Spanish conquest Viracachá was inhabited by the Muisca, organized in their loose Muisca Confederation. Due to its proximity to the northern capital Hunza, Viracachá was ruled by the zaque. Modern Viracachá was founded by Dominican missionaries on February 15, 1556.

Economy

Viracachá is a rural village where most of the people work in the tertiary sector of services. Also agriculture and chicken farming is executed. The town does not have a bank.