4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN CUSCO THAT YOU CANNOT MISS
The 4 closest Archaeological sites of Cusco city
As we all know, there are places that are part of a glorious past and it is worth visiting them for their historical and archaeological importance and even more so in the city of Imperial de los Incas. If you plan to visit Cusco you cannot miss visiting these 4 unmissable archaeological sites of the imperial city of cusco.
SACSAYHUAMAN
One of the most visited archaeological sites in Cusco is Sacsayhuaman, an Inca fortress that generates much admiration throughout the world. The fortress of Sacsayhuaman is located 2 km from Cusco and is 3.700 meters above sea level. In Quechua, saqsay means full, or satisfied, and waman, means hawk: both would give us a concept of a satisfied hawk.
Its construction was ordered by the Inca Pachacútec in the 15th century, and the Inca Huayna Cápac completed it in the 16th century. This archaeological sites has a beautiful landscape with flora and fauna such as llamas and hawks. The Saqsayhuaman area takes the shape of a head of a sacred animal.
The construction of this fortress was based on the rock cut in the quarry roughly with the required shape. Then these rocks were dragged with ropes by hundreds of men to the desired place. In this way of construction, there is a test: the ropes used. These ropes were so impressive that they were mentioned by the Spanish Diego de Trujillo in 1571 after inspecting a room full of construction material. What most attracts the attention of Saqsayhuaman are the three stone walls that suggest the figure of lightning or a serpent, in addition to the fineness of the stone in these formations.
In Saqsayhuaman there are entrances to underground tunnels, and there are also areas such as amphitheaters, and ritual enclosures, probably related to the cult of water. So, it is believed that it was here that rituals of worship to water and the sun were held. Inside, there were large warehouses for food and weapons, and also water channels. The Inti Raymi, Cusco’s most important celebration, takes place on June 24 of each year in this archaeological site. This is the annual festival dedicated to the Sun god that was born in the forties and still lasts to this day.
PUCA PUCARA
The second of the archeological sites is Puka Pukara is a Quechua word that means red. This name derives from the fact that at sunset each day, the sun gives the stones of the Inca fortress a reddish color. It is believed that this was the Inca fortress for defense against possible enemy attacks or that this was a fortress to warn who was approaching Cusco.
This fortress is made of large walls, terraces (platforms), water channels, enclosures, rooms, and a central plaza. You can visit the Puka Pukara fortress every day since it is always open to visits during the day. The entrance ticket for the Puka Pukara fortress is included in combination with the ‘4 Inca ruins’ of Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, and Tambomachay. To visit Puka Pukara you will need a tour guide to go with you, and you can get there by bus
TAMBOMACHAY
In Quechua, Tambomachay means a place to rest. This is one of the archaeological sites that was destined for water and the relaxation of the main rulers of the Inca empire. Historians say the Inca ruler and his family came to Tambomachay to bathe and rest. Also, in this place, water worship ceremonies were carried out. For the Incas, water was the element that made life grow on earth, and this is why water was considered a deity.
Tambomachay is located 7 kilometers away from Cusco and is 3.700 meters above sea level. It consists of a series of water channels and sculpted stone fountains. Here, the Incas made a great temple to the water and created small and large waterfalls. You can visit Tambomachay every day of the year, and the entrance is included in the general entrance ticket ‘4 RUINAS CUSCO.’
QÉNQO
The archaeological Site of Qenqo is located in Cusco’s northeast, and it’s divided into two large areas: Qenqo Grande and Qenqo Chico. This is an Inca building that was dedicated to astronomy. They sculpted all the rocks, steps, gutters, and holes. Qenqo has been studied by various archaeologists, architects, and historians, and they have divided their areas into The Amphitheater, underground chamber, mortuary room, and Intihuatana.
The Amphitheater, where religious ceremonies were held with an expectant public. The amphitheater has a circular shape with niches and this has a passage that leads to an underground room where there is a complex of platforms and water channels. In the Underground Chamber of Qenqo, there are niches, tables or altars, walls, floors, and ceilings carved in the rocks. The Mortuary Room or the Sacrifice Room was carved from a giant rock, and it’s believed that animal sacrifices were made here.
Its existence creates many doubts for historians and archaeologists. The Intihuatana can be seen with the naked eye since it is on top of a large rock. Qenqo is one of the archaeological sites that receives daily visits due to its impressive beauty.
Definitely you cannot miss these amazing archeological sites,.The entrance ticket to this archaeological siteS is included in the Cusco city tour. In each place, you’ll be able to appreciate a gigantic map of the locations .
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