Day Seven - Cusco Ruins

I had arranged with Edwin for his cousin to drive me around to some of the ruins on the outskirts of Cusco. He picked me up at 1:00pm and though he spoke no English, we were able to communicate well enough to get through the afternoon nicely.

Sacsayhuaman is an Inca architectural masterpiece showing impressive megalithic ruins that are located on the peak of a hill north of the city. It served a a military fortress, which later became a religious sanctuary and finally a place of work. The walls of this site are formed by enormous stone blocks that reach up to 30 feet in height and 13 feet in width. The largest is calculated to weigh over 125 tons. The union of these enormous rocks, assembled in a perfect union without the use of cement is incredible.

Sacsayhuaman (Click to Enlarge)	Sacsayhuaman (Click to Enlarge)	Puca Pucara (Click to Enlarge)

Qenco is a sanctuary dedicated to the adoration of animals, and consists of ruins formed by a rocky site with stairs in zigzag, and a main building similar to a circular amphitheatre where 19 window sills are located as a way of seats.

Puca Pucara (Quechua for red fortress) is an Inca archaeological site located again on the peak of a hill and is thought to be a military position and an administrative centre. Due to its proximity to Tambomachay, it is believed to have had a relationship with its defense, as well as the control of the route to Calca that led to the Antisuyo (Forest county of the Inca).

Tambomachay (Click to Enlarge)	Tambomachay (Click to Enlarge)	Outskirts of Cusco (Click to Enlarge)

Tambomachay was an Inca sanctuary dedicated to the cult of the water, and it was a reserved place for the Inca. Its construction of fine lithic finish is a startling example of incredible hydraulic engineering. Consisting of a group of walls that are united by stairs, there are springs that cascade to a pool through several channels. The waterfalls in these ruins form part of a terrace to the second wall where the drainage cascades on the first and forms a small pool. The window sills, hole or niches are of 7 feet high, and was the place, according to the historians, that the Inca and the important people of his court offered water rites to the god Inti (sun).

I spent the rest of the evening back at Plaza de Aramas, enjoying great food and drink.

 

Day Eight