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Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman cusco
Sacsayhuaman Temple
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman.
This huge remain is the most impressive in the immediate from Cusco area. The name means ‘satisfied falcon’ but local guides cannot resist telling visitors that the long Quechua name is most easily remembered by the compaound word ‘sexy woman’.
The most interesting way to reach the site, is to climb the steep street of Resbalosa, turn right at the top, you go up past the Church of San Cristóbal and continue until you come to a hairpin bend in the road. Here, you’ll find the old Inca road between Cusco and Sacsayhuman. Follow it to the top, the remains are to the left. The climb is short but steep and takes almost an hour from Cusco, so make sure you’re acclimatized before attempting it. (An acclimatized athlete wrote to me complaining that the walk took barely 20 minutes) The old road is also a good descent route when returning from visits to the other nearby ruins. The site is open from dawn till dusk, and the guards are very active in demanding to see your turist ticket. Arriving at dawn will give you the site to yourself tour groups begin arriving in midmorning. However, robberies have been reported early and late in the day, so you should go with friends or a group. Although Sacsayhuman seems huge, what today’s visitor sees is only about 20% of the original structure. Soon after the conquest, the Spaniards pulled down many walls and used the block to build their own houses in Cusco. In the left part of the achaeological complex there is the most impressive of the original rocks, one of which weighs over 300 tons. Most of them form part of the main battlements. The Incas envisioned Cusco in the shape of a Puma, with Sacsayhuman as the head.
The site is essentially three different areas, the most obvious are the three tiers in zigzag walls, the main fortification. The 22 zigzag form the teeth of the puma and they are also an effective defensive mechanism an attacker must expose a flank when attacking any wall. Opposite is the hill called Rodadero, with its retaining walls, curiously polished rocks and a finely carved series of the Inca. Between the zigzag ramparts and Rodadero Hill lies a large, flat parade ground that is used for the colorful tourist spectacle of Inti Raymi, held every June 24th.
The site is being actively excavated following the discovery of seven mummies behind the Rodadero Hill.
The magnificent zigzag walls remain are the site’s major attraction, even though much of this fortification has been destroyed. Three tower once stood above these walls. There is only the circle foundations remain, with 22 m. of diameter, this is colled Muyuc Marca (circle tower), Muyuc Marca, with its perfectly fitted stone conduits, was used as a huge water tank for the garrison. Other buildings within the ramparts provided food and shelter for an estimated 5,000 warriors. Most of these structures were torn down by the Spaniards and by later inhabitants of Cusco, and the resulting lack of evidence makes a precise description of Sacsayhuaman ‘s function difficult. Most authorities agree, however, that the site had important religious and military significance. The fort was the site one of the most bitter battles of the Spanish conquest. About 2 ½ years after Pizarro’s entry into Cusco, the rebellious Manco Inca recaptured the lightly guarded Sacsayhuaman and used it as a base to lay siege to the conquistadors in Cusco, Manco Inca was very nearly successful in defeating the Spaniards only a desperate last ditch attack by 50 Spanish cavalry led by Juan Pizarro finally succeeded in retaking Sacsayhuaman and putting an end to the rebellion. Although Manco Inca survived and retreated to the fortress of Ollantaytambo most of his forces were killed. The thousand of dead littering the site attracted swarms of carrion eating Andean condors, hence the inclusion of eight condors in Cusco’ s coat of arms.
Tours in Sacsayhuaman
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Cusco 4 Days - 3 Nights (US$ 345.00)
Includes: Cusco, Machupicchu, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman, -
Cusco 3 Days - 2 Nights (US$ 310.00)
Includes: Cusco, Machupicchu, Sacsayhuaman, -
Inti Raymi Cusco 5 Days - 4 Nights (US$ 457.00)
Includes: Cusco, Machupicchu, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman,
