El Dorado, Spanish for “the golden one”), is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dived into a highland lake.

Muisca raft Legend of El Dorado

Later it became the name of a legendary “Lost City of Gold” that has fascinated – and so far eluded – explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors. Though many have searched for years on end to find this city of gold, no evidence of such a place has been found.

Other mythical places

• Atlantis
• City of the Caesars
• Quivira and Cíbola
• Sierra del Plata
• City of Gold