SACSAYHUAMÁN | Cusco

Sacsayhuamán Cusco
Sacsayhuamán is one of the most amazing constructions in the world. It is thought that it was built during the time of the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century.
It is believed that more than 20 thousand men extracted the stones from the surrounding quarries and moved it 20 kilometers up the hill of the city of Cusco where Sacsayhuamán is located.

Today, it is estimated that Sacsayhuamán retains only 40% of its ancient structure. Even so, the site has structures weighing up to 140 tons.

The archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán is located 2 kilometers north of Cusco's Main Square. It is only 10 minutes from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco (by car) or a 45 minute walk. Another option to reach the site is to take the 'City Tour', which includes transportation to this archaeological site.

The term Sacsayhuamán means "place where the hawk is sated" in Quechua. The name is probably due to the presence of these birds. But according to oral transmission, the name of this place could have been SAQSA UMA which means illuminated head. The capital of the Inca Empire was built in the shape of a puma. The place where this temple is located represents the head of the puma (ancestral deity of the Incas). When the Spaniards arrived they assumed that it was a fortress due to the magnitude of the stones in the walls and the location. But in reality it was a very important ceremonial center because it is located in the Hanan Qosqo or high part of the city of Cusco.

The architecture in Sacsayhuamán has sacred constructions such as residential buildings, towers, adoratories, warehouses, roads and aquaducts. That is why the form and harmony of the landscape keeps similarity with other sacred Inca places like Machu Picchu.
The main wall of Sacsayhuamán is built in a zigzag pattern dedicated to the god ILLAPA or lightning god with giant stones up to 8 meters high and 2.5 meters wide (between 90 and 150 tons of weight). The south side is limited 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 largest architectural work built by the Incas during their heyday, but it is also said to have been built by the pre-Inca cultures and to be more than 5000 years old

The archaeological complex is widely sprawled out. Some structures with their own history and meaning.
Sacsayhuamán offers an amazing view of Cusco. You can see the peaks of the Apu Ausangate, Pachatusán and the Cenca. These peaks were considered sacred by the Incas. Indeed still sacred today by those that still remember.

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