An imposing jewel of pre-Hispanic engineering
Visiting the Sacsayhuaman fortress (a Quechua word meaning satisfied falcon), one of the most important archaeological complexes of the Inca Empire, is to admire the precision of the engineering used and delve into the history of what was the largest pre-Columbian civilization in America. . . And contemplating its harmonious carved stone structures makes its construction process difficult for visitors to imagine and explain.
This complex, which occupies an area of 3,000 hectares, would have required the work of 25,000 men -among architects, astronomers, engineers, stonemasons and stone transporters-. According to archaeological studies, it is estimated that its construction took more than 90 years from 1350 BC. C., ordered by the Inca Pachacútec, and would have been completed in the 16th century by his successor, Túpac Inca Yupanqui.
The archaeological complex is located 2 km north of the main square of the city of Cusco and rests at 3,700 meters above sea level (300 meters in addition to the Cusco power stations 3,399 meters). It is the highest part of the city of Cusco and covers an area of more than 3 thousand hectares, on a hill surrounded by huge mountains. The site is beautifully landscaped and is home to a great diversity of plants and animals, as llamas can also be found here.
If you want to book a tour to see Sacsayhuaman, check PERU TREK to find the perfect tour for you. We recommend using a tour, so you can fully understand and appreciate the different areas of the ruins.
Sacsayhuaman was built during the reign of the Inca Pachacuti and his successors. Its massive and well-constructed walls remain today as a testimony not only to Inca power, but also to the skills of Inca architects and their progressive construction and knowledge of masonry.
The first structure of Sacsayhuaman was made using only mud and clay, as was typical of Inca constructions, and following the Inca leaders, the clay bricks were gradually replaced by the huge stones seen today. In fact, many of these stones are over 100 shades and over 4 meters tall.
The fortress was the largest of many structures built by the Incas (between the 14th and 15th centuries). Built on a rocky platform high above the capital, it took more than 50 years and 20,000 men to build. The men who built it signed up through the ‘mita’, which was a form of community service, compulsory for all citizens of the empire. It required two years of dedicated service between the ages of 18 and 20.
It may not surprise you to learn that the Incas were incredibly skilled at working with stone. It was part of their normal culture, to extract and shape huge rocks and move them with a system of ropes, logs and levers. By using smaller stones and sand to finish the worked stone, the look you see is achieved.
If you are looking for tours in Cusco, you will find that each travel agency offers a city tour with various attractions in Cusco. You can book a half day tour or just go on your own. In case you decide on the latter, it is important to know that you will need an entrance ticket (generally it is already included if you book through an agency)
The so-called “tourist ticket” can be purchased at the COSITUC office (Avenida El Sol , Nr. 103) from Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. o Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You will notice that there are different tickets available, including different sites, which are:
Take advantage of the reasonable prices to experience a complete tour of the different museums in Cusco, as well as the unique archaeological sites of the city. When you travel to Cusco it is a great idea to take a City tour of the Imperial city. For this, there are many variations, from budget to luxury and group or private tours. You can buy these tours online or at an agency in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco.
