Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman Quechua voice that mains Satiate hawk, located 2km from the city in the peak of a hill that dominates the north of the city. It embraces 3,000 hectares approximately, where a rich Andean flora is found and with abundant fauna, highlighting the presence of llamas, kestrels and hawks. It also embraces the following extraordinary archaeological monuments.
The Incas called it the House of the Sun and the Spaniards called it a fortress because of its zig-zag shape and the 1536 revolution. The construction, which is made up of three platforms one on top of the other, was one of the most important religious complexes of its time, military purposes and finally a place of work.
Characteristics
The walls are formed by enormous stone blocks that reach up to 9 m. height, 5 m. width and 4 m. thickness. The biggest is calculated to have a weight of 125 tons; the visitor will wonder how they have been taken there. The union of the enormous rocks was assembled in a perfect way without use of cement. The main wall is constituted by three successive walls in zigzag, the second and the third superimposed to the first one.
The platforms have an average of 360 m. length and communicate by stairs, and access doors. The throne of the Inca is surrounded by rocks in front of the ramparts that dominate the esplanade and the "rodadero" (circular place), “suchuna” or slider, is a natural formation of volcanic rock that emerges from the surface. To the north of the plain one can see the throne of the Inka, that it is a succession of benches worked on rock, beyond the famous chincanas or tunnels. Between both places there is a reservoir in a circular shape that has a perimeter or rock
In the surrounding area there is a statue of Jesus that is approximately 25 meters called “The White Christ” that was a present by the colonial Palestine to Cusco. From this place you have a spectacular view of the city of Cusco.
The mixed-blood historian Garcilazo de la Vega described in his book “comentarios reales - The Royal Commentaries" every detail of this sacred spot, its walls, rooms, towers, doors and canals, which have sparked great interest and admiration from visitors and residents alike.The heaviest weighs up to 125 tons. Archaeologists are currently excavating and have discovered water fountains, canals and rooms.
Festivities
In a nearby flat area, every June 24 local inhabitants hold the Festival of the Sun, or Inti Raymi. Saqsaywaman witnessed important historic events.
How to get Sacsayhuaman?
Inca architectural masterpiece, together with the city of Cusco it is so easy to get there you can take any City Tour (Pull) of any travel agency (almost all of them offer this kind of service), on foot (25 min) or by bus (15 min) from the main square
Places near to Sacsayhuaman
Kencco
Sanctuary dedicated to the adoration of animals, ruins formed by a rocky place with stairs in zigzag, it has a main building like a circular amphitheatre where 19 window sills are located as a way of seats.
It is presumed that this place was an adoration place, supporting this presumption the presence of an enormous stone block of 5.9 m. height that has the appearance of a puma. There is labyrinth entrance toward underground galleries, passages, channels, and stairs with signs of a remote culture; these reveal a series of drawings and engravings outstanding the figures of pumas.
It is located at 4 km. of the Main Square, following the way to Sacsayhuamán.
Puca Pucará (voice Quechua: red fortress)
Inca archaeological location, located in the peak of a hill, was a military position and an administrative center.
For its proximity to Tambomachay, it is believed that it had relationship with its defense, as well as the control of the route to Calca that led to the Antisuyo (Forest county of the Inca).
It is a fortification formed by platforms, stairs, passages, turrets, windowsills and a wall that defends the whole construction in a circular shape. It is located at 7 km. of the Main Square.
Tambomachay
It was an Inca sanctuary dedicated to the cult of the water, and it was a reserved place for the Inca. It is known as the "Baños del Inca" (Inca's spa). Construction of fine lithic finishes and high domain of the hydraulic engineering.
It is a group of walls, united by stairs, with springs that fall to a puddle through channels. The fall of water that gets the attention in these ruins part from the terrace of the second wall and the drainage spill on the first where a small puddle is found.
The window sills, hole or niches of 2 m. height, was the place from where according to the historians, the Inca and the important people of his court subdue cult to the god Inti (sun) with rites of water. It is located at 8 km. of the Main Square.
Laqo, Lanlakuyoq and Cusilluchayoq
Pre-Hispanic adoration places, located at 5 km. east of Cusco. Representations of felines, monkeys and snakes had been carved in the rocks. It is a particularly interesting place for the followers of occult and spiritual movements.
