Sacsayhuamán
Sacsayhuamán is an archaeological site, characterized by being one of the most amazing buildings in the world. It is thought that it began to be built during the Inca Pachacutec government in the 15th century.
Also, it is believed that more than 20 thousand men extracted the stones from the nearby quarries and transferred it 20 kilometers to the hill of the city of Cusco.
Today, Sacsayhuamán is estimated to retain only 40 percent of its old structure. Even so, the site has structures of up to 125 tons in weight.
How did the Incas build Sacsayhuamán with structures of an implausible weight and size for the time? Many questions are still a mystery. Therein lies the beauty of this archaeological site.
What does Sacsayhuamán mean?
The term Sacsayhuamán means in Quechua "place where the falcon is satiated". The name is surely due to the presence of these birds. It is presumed to have been a fortress, although it is also believed to have been a ceremonial center.
Due to its structure with a military aspect, the Spanish, upon arrival in the 16th century, would have named it "fortress".
Where is Sacsayhuamán located?
It is located 2 kilometers north of the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. It is located 3,700 meters above sea level (masl), and extends over an area of more than 3 thousand hectares, on a hill surrounded by mountains. Without a doubt, the place has beautiful landscapes with abundant flora and fauna (llamas and hawks stand out).
How to get to Sacsayhuamán?
Sacsayhuamán is located just 10 minutes from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco (by car) or 45 minutes walking. It is so, that, to get there on foot, you can do it going up Sweden street, turn Huaynapata street and continue on Resbalosa street, then turn right after the Church of San Cristóbal and follow the road. Here, you can join the ancient Inca route to Sacsayhuamán. You must take into account that the climb is steep.
Another option is to take a "City Tour" from any travel agency, which includes transportation to this archaeological site. The entry is made with the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Sacsayhuamán architecture
When we talk about architecture, Sacsayhuamán has sacred constructions such as residential buildings, towers, shrines, warehouses, roads, and aqueducts. That is why, the shape and harmony of the landscape is similar to other Inca sacred places such as Machu Picchu.
The main wall of Sacsayhuamán is built in a zigzag with gigantic stones up to 5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide (between 90 and 125 tons in weight).
The south side is bounded by a polished wall approximately 400 meters long. The east and west are limited by other walls and platforms.
According to the Peruvian chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Sacsayhuamán was the greatest architectural work that the Incas built during its heyday.
What to see in Sacsayhuamán?
Sacsayhuaman offers an amazing view of Cusco. You can see the summits of Ausangate Mountain and Pachatusán Mountain and the whole city of Cusco. These summits were considered sacred to the Incas. The archaeological complex itself has very amazing places, some of them with their own history and meaning.
Information about Sacsayhuaman: weather, hours, price
Weather
Sacsayhuaman has a dry and temperate climate. The average temperature per year is 12 ° C. There are 2 seasons during the year. The rainy season (from November to March) presents a greater quantity of fluvial precipitations. The dry season (April to October) has hotter days in the day and colder at night.
Schedule
Monday to Sunday: 07:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Prices
Entry included in the Tourist Ticket from Cusco.