Sacsayhuamán

Saqsaywaman

An Inca stone fortress overlooking Cusco, with three tiers of zigzag walls built from blocks weighing up to a hundred tons, seamlessly fitted together. It is the main venue for Inti Raymi.

Saqsaywaman sits on a hill north of Cusco's old town at 3,700 m. Walking from the Plaza de Armas takes 30–40 minutes uphill, which is tiring at this altitude, or about 10 minutes by taxi. Begun in the 15th century under Pachacuti, it is a religious and military complex. Spanish chronicles say 20,000 people worked on it for 70 years. The Spanish removed many of its stones to build churches, but the three tiers of zigzag walls at the base survive intact. The largest stones are 8.5 m high and weigh 120–200 tons. They fit together so tightly that not even a sheet of paper can slip between them, the peak of Inca stonemasonry. Across from the walls, the grassy slope serves as the ceremonial plaza, where tens of thousands gather to watch the reenactment of Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) on June 24. Grandstand seats must be booked months ahead. At the summit, the Rodadero rock has a natural slide, and children and adults alike ride it. Higher up, beneath the white Cristo Blanco statue, lies the best viewpoint over Cusco's old town, especially beautiful when the lights come on in the evening. The Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) covers entry, or you can buy a single ticket for PEN 70. Opening hours are 07:00–18:00, and a visit takes about 1.5 hours. A guide (about PEN 50–80) can explain the religious meaning of the walls. The same ticket covers three smaller nearby ruins: Q'enqo (a ceremonial cave), Puka Pukara (the Red Fortress) and Tambomachay (the Inca bath). They can be linked by taxi as a half-day trip around Cusco. Llamas and women in traditional dress often pose for photos with visitors on the grass for a fee. Climb slowly at this altitude, and bring water and sun protection.

Sacsayhuamán

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