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.
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Sacsayhuaman
(Click to
Enlarge) |
Sacsayhuaman
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Enlarge) |
Puca
Pucara
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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).
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Tambomachay
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Enlarge) |
Tambomachay
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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