Wari Willka, Archaeological site in Huancán District, Junín, Peru

Wari Willka is an archaeological site situated on a plateau that slopes toward the Mantaro River, displaying substantial stone walls and structures. The grounds hold preserved stone staircases, building foundations, and several ancient trees arranged across an irregular quadrilateral layout.

Huarihuilca was built by the Wari between 800 and 1200 AD as a provincial administrative centre in the Mantaro valley. After the Wari collapse it became a principal centre of the Huanca, who kept the sanctuary of their origin. The Incas rebuilt it with mixed Inca-Huanca architecture, and in 1534 the priest Vicente de Valverde destroyed the black stone idol of the god Huamani. Cieza de León found the site overgrown in 1545.

The name joins two Quechua roots: huari, ancient or remote, and huilca, sanctuary. Locals venerate the two molle trees standing inside the enclosure as heritage of the Huanca nation, and Andean shamans still leave candle and cigar offerings during rituals there; a 2011 fire damaged the tree called molle macho.

The site lies about 6 km south of Huancayo, in the Huari annex of Huancán District, at 3,150 m above sea level. A well-kept stone stairway runs along the side of the sanctuary down to the spring on its southeast edge, which still supplies water to Huari. The site museum holds ceramics and finds from the excavations.

Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a young woman bound with a bird of prey, revealing unusual burial practices not commonly seen elsewhere. This finding suggests the place served important ritual and ceremonial functions beyond typical administrative uses.