Inca Ruins

On the outskirts of Cusco lies the fortress of Sacsayhuaman which played a role as the site of a major battle, during the Incan rebellion of 1536, serving as their headquarters in one of the final revolts against the ruthless Conquistadors.

Its construction from large stone blocks, some weighing 300 tonnes, is a miracle of motivated man power, while it's geographical position overlooking Cusco led, perhaps, to Sacsayhuaman's naming which some translate as 'speckled head', it being head to the Puma body of Cusco .

Originally a much larger construction than is presently visible, where a ball and string were needed to traverse its maize like complexity, its stones have been taken and used in buildings in Cusco by successive generations. Puka-Pukara Puka-Pukara meaning 'Red Fort' is strategically placed for wide panoramic views of the surrounding area and is thought to have had a defensive link to the nearby lodge of Tambomachay.

Tambomachay Tambomachay was a relaxing lodge for Incan nobility. Baths could be taken, possibly of a religious significance as water was an important male deity. There is some evidence that it was used as a hunting lodge, there being abundant wildlife in the surrounding hills.

The remains of the building are constructed from polygons of Lime-stone with niches for various idols or mummies and had 3 (a significant Incan number) ceremonial fountains in front of which are the remains of a small defensive fort.

Qenqo Q'enqo was carved from the Lime-stone remains of a pre-historic sea at an altitude of 3,600m. The word Q'enqo means 'zigzag' or'Labryinth' and probably refers to the carved channels in the stone where Llama blood or chicha(maize beer) were poured as part of a religious ritual. The resulting trail and speed of flow would then be interpreted by a priest....a bit like Tea-leaf reading on a grander scale!

Inside the rock are the remains of an altar and 19 trapezoidal niches where statues and mummies were placed. Possibly they housed life size statues representing local nobility.

The Conquistadors destroyed most things of Incan religious significance and beauty during a famous 'idololitories extirpation', although I'm sure anything of value was melted down and shipped out.... oh yes we have a lot to thank Christianity for don't we?

Incan duality is evident with the Sun Temple situated at the top of outcrop, where devotion was side by side with the observing of equinoxes and solstices for agricultural planning.