The "Parque Arqueológico de Sacsayhuamán"
(Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuamán) is located to the
north of
Cusco,
(Qosqo). 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,
Sacsayhuamán (Quechua voice Satiate
hawk)
Inca architectural masterpiece. Impressive
megalithic ruins located in the peak of a hill that
dominates the north of the city. The historians of the
Spanish conquest attributed it military purposes that
then became religious, and finally a place of work.
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), located in the same plateau.
Sacsayhuamán was scenario of important historical
facts, especially during the Spanish conquest. Every
year the evocation to the
Inti
Raymi,
is celebrated there.
It is located at 3 km. of the Main Square and you can
arrive there walking.
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.