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CUSCO | Saqsaywaman is one of the many architectural wonders of the Inca Empire. This breathtaking ruin was listed as an UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. The oldest structures in Saqsaywaman date back to the 1100s, and were built by the Killke culture. The Incas extended the structure significantly in the 13th century. The extensions made by the Incas show an incredible feat in building and ingenuity. The skilled workers carefully cut large boulders to fit together without mortar. The stones are so closely fit together that a single piece of paper willnot fit between the boulders. It is not completely understood how a culture at this stage of history was able to build a structure in this manner.
The ruin has fared relatively well over time however after the seige of Cusco by the Spaniards in 1563, the new Spanish government started disassembling Saqsaywaman stone by stone so that it could be used as a source of building material for the newly conquered city of Cusco. The ruins that remain are still very impressive and will make you wonder what this fortress would have looked like in its glory days, adorned with gold.
If you would like to learn more about the history of Saqsaywaman, you can hire an English or Spanish speaking tour guide at the site. This archaeological site is part of the Boleto Turistico as such, you require one of these passes to enter the ruins. The Christo Blanco (the white cross), however, at the entry of the site does not require the pass, and you can get sweeping views across all of Cusco from this spot.
Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman
Cusco
Cusco 08000
Peru
Telephone: +51 84 227037
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 7:00am to 5:30pm