Sacsayhuaman, an imposing jewel of Inca engineering

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Sacsayhuaman is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cusco, famous for its enormous stone walls, which reflect the amazing Inca engineering. Getting to this place is easy and there are several options: you can hire a city tour cusco, take a taxi, go in your own vehicle, or even walk up to enjoy the urban landscape and panoramic views of Cusco.

If you choose to walk, from the Plaza de Armas you can go up Suecia street, turn towards Huaynapata, and continue on Resbalosa. After passing the church of San Cristóbal, turn right and follow the road; you will soon arrive at Sacsayhuaman. In addition to the walk, many visitors take the opportunity to visit other nearby sites such as Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, as they are often included in the area's tourist circuits.

Where is Sacsayhuaman located?

The archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman is located just 2 kilometers north of the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level. This impressive complex extends over more than 3,000 hectares on a hill surrounded by mountains, offering panoramic views of the city and the valley. Its surroundings are full of history and nature, with abundant Andean flora and typical fauna, where it is common to see llamas grazing and falcons flying over the place.

History of Sacsayhuaman

Around the year 1450, the Inca Pachacutec, ninth ruler of the Empire, ordered the construction of an impressive sanctuary where the military victories of his son Túpac Yupanqui would be celebrated.

To build this monumental work, more than 20,000 workers were mobilized from different regions of the empire, recruited through the mitas system. They transported enormous blocks of stone from various quarries in Cusco and assembled them with amazing precision, achieving a perfect fit without the need for tools like mortar.

The architectural design of Sacsayhuaman was part of the great urban plan of Pachacútec, who, when he designed the city of Cusco, gave it the shape of a puma, a sacred animal of the Kay Pacha (Andean earthly world). In this design, Sacsayhuaman represented the head of the feline, a symbol of strength and power.

Note: Although many people call it a "fortress", archaeological studies indicate that Sacsayhuaman had a mainly ceremonial character, although it also served as a center for strategic defense.

About Sacsayhuaman: “The Inca Fortress"

What does Sacsayhuaman mean?

In Quechua, Sacsayhuaman means "place where the falcon is satisfied". The name is likely related to the presence of these birds in the area, which were considered very important in Andean culture. Although its monumental design and giant walls suggest a fortress, archaeological studies suggest it was also a very important ceremonial center.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, impressed by its architecture and defensive appearance, they called it a "fortress". During the Inca rebellion of Vilcabamba in 1536, the site was key: Inca troops fought off a Spanish attack, confirming its military use.
When was Sacsayhuaman built?

Its construction began under the rule of the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century and was continued by his successors, finishing in the time of Huayna Capac in the early 16th century. Later, in 1536, Manco Inca, leader of the resistance against the Spanish, used Sacsayhuaman as a strategic bastion in one of the most significant battles of the era. After the conflict, much of the construction was taken apart by the colonizers, who used its stones to build churches and houses in Cusco. Today, only about 20% of the original complex is preserved.
What was it built for?

Although many people consider Sacsayhuaman only as an Inca fortress, modern research indicates that it was mainly designed as a ceremonial center and temple dedicated to the Sun (Inti), the supreme deity of the Inca culture.

Its location and the scale of its design also gave it a defensive role, making it a multifunctional space within the organization of Inca Cusco.

Important fact: The Inti Raymi, the most important festival in the Inca calendar, was celebrated in Sacsayhuaman. This event is still recreated today every June 24th and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Details about the Fortress

Today, Sacsayhuaman is one of the most impressive settings for the celebration of the Inti Raymi or "Festival of the Sun", which every June 24 revives the ancient Inca ceremonies in honor of the sun god. Thousands of national and foreign visitors gather on its esplanade to witness this artistic representation.

The fortress is a masterpiece of Inca architecture, known for its cyclopean construction: its walls are made of enormous blocks of stone that fit together perfectly, a technique that still amazes archaeologists and engineers today. Some of these stones are 9 meters high, 5 meters wide, and 4 meters thick, with an estimated weight of up to 125 tons.

The complex has three stepped platforms, each with an average length of 360 meters, connected by stairs and access doors that reveal the strategic planning of its design. At the top is the Throne of the Inca, carved directly into the rock and oriented towards the main esplanade, from where the sovereign could witness ceremonies and military acts. Very close by is the "Rodadero", a natural formation of polished rock that the ancient Incas used for recreational purposes and that today continues to be a curiosity for visitors.

Sacsayhuaman architecture

The architecture in Sacsayhuaman has sacred constructions such as residential buildings, towers, shrines, warehouses, roads and aqueducts. That is why the shape and harmony of the landscape is similar to other Inca sacred places such as Machu Picchu.
The main wall of Sacsayhuaman is built in a zigzag with gigantic stones up to 5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide (between 90 and 125 tons in weight).
The south side is bounded by a polished wall approximately 400 meters long. The east and west are limited by other walls and platforms.
According to the Peruvian chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Sacsayhuaman was the greatest architectural work that the Incas built during their heyday.

Facts about Sacsayhuaman

The Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park It has an area of more than 3,000 hectares and is located at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level.
It is located 3 kilometers from Cuzco, capital of the ancient Inca Empire.
It is believed to have been a military fortress, but recent research has conferred religious purposes on it.
It could be a temple dedicated to the cult of the sun.
Construction took more than 50 years and approximately 20,000 men are said to have worked on it.
Sacsayhuaman had channels for the distribution of water in the fortress.
It also had warehouses for food and weapons.
It was one of the most impressive constructions of the Inca empire, being the place where the Inca architectural technique was used on a larger scale.
The large rocks from the quarries were dragged with ropes by hundreds of men.
Its exterior walls can exceed 9 meters in height, 5 meters in width and 4 in thickness and some weigh more than 350 tons.
Some types of rock are not from the same place, it is presumed that they were transported from more than 38 kilometers.
Sacsayhuaman communicates in a straight line with the Coricancha and three other Inca buildings in the area. Which presumes a greater astronomical reference.
There is very little left of the construction, currently only twenty percent is observed, because at the time of the Spanish conquest it was almost destroyed.
The remains of the fortress were used as a quarry to build houses and churches in Cuzco.

Mystery of Sacsayhuaman

Cunningham, is the author of the book The Map That Talked that delves into the mysteries of prehistory. It has departed from the more orthodox theories to suggest that the builders of Sacsayhuaman developed an intricate writing system that dates back 30,000 years! In that case, it would not be the Incas its architects but an advanced civilization of which we have lost memory.

In his opinion, this ancient form of writing constitutes the basis of the geometric shapes that would take into account the movement of the Moon and the Sun. According to his mystery of Sacsayhuaman, the astronomical values considered as central to anticipating eclipses become "angular values". Those that form the stones of the monumental wall (see map).

In astronomical terms it is a mixture of the values used to measure time (sidereal month 27.32 days) and the values to determine when the Moon, the Earth and the Sun align at the nodes. This includes the use of the moon's 18.6-year nodal cycle, the 6,511 draconic month period between eclipse seasons, and also the 5.1-degree tilt angle of the moon's orbit. The remaining values are usually either the values of the middle of the various lunar terms, or values linked to the 11-day difference between the lunar and solar years.

Cunningham suggests that his analysis of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman is only a case of astronomical "writing" from the Stone Age. It has found similar shapes in a large number of sites in the past on several continents: In the Lascaux and Chauvet caves in France, the bone carved in Ishango, (Africa) and a stone carved from around 30,000 years ago in a Paleolithic site in Shuidonggou, China, which is the oldest and the one that establishes the antiquity of the "language".

Cunningham's question is whether the huge polygonal walls of Sacsayhuaman align with the exact astronomical values used in the Muiscan figurines of Colombia and the giant Atacama of Chile. And, the surprising result is yes.

Curiosity: Although Cunningham's hypothesis is fascinating, most archaeologists and astronomers consider that there is no conclusive evidence that Sacsayhuaman has a function as a prehistoric "astronomical code". However, his theory has awakened the interest of alternative researchers and travelers who seek to decipher the most enigmatic secrets of the Andean world.

How to get to Sacsayhuaman?

Getting to Sacsayhuaman is undoubtedly one of the frequently asked questions that tourists ask themselves when arriving in Cusco. Here are some alternatives to get to this impressive archaeological site:

Get to Sacsayhuaman walking
You can do it from the main square of Cusco, going up Sweden street and continue the route through Resbalosa street; turn right after the San Cristóbal church and follow the road that will lead you to the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman. It will take you about 30 minutes of walking to reach the complex.

Get to Sacsayhuaman by taxi
From the Plaza de Armas of Cusco you can take a taxi that will take you to the same archaeological site. In the same way, you will find return taxis. With this option, you will have plenty of time to get to know Sacsayhuaman.

Get to Sacsayhuaman on a city tour
All agencies that offer tours in Cusco have this option at your disposal. So you will know more archaeological sites that are around Sacsayhuaman. The entrance is with a tourist ticket from Cusco.

What will you see in Sacsayhuaman?

Sacsayhuaman offers an amazing view of Cusco. You can see the summits of Ausangate, Pachatusan and Cinca. These peaks were considered sacred to the Incas. The archaeological complex itself has very amazing places, some of them with their own history and meaning.

The towers
The towers are located on the zigzag walls. They are called Muyucmarca, Paucamarca and Sallaqmarca. It is known that in this place there was abundant water. Even now we can see the aqueducts.
Muyucmarca
Also known as ‘La torre de Cahuide’. It is a huge building (today only the base remains) with an important historical value. It is known that the Inca general Titu Cusi Huallpa (also called Cahuide) jumped from the highest point to avoid being taken prisoner by the Spanish during the Inca resistance of 1536.
Paucamarca
The remains of this tower are located to the east of the archaeological site. According to the chroniclers, they served to store water. It is currently covered in dirt and is likely to have a square shape.
Sallaqmarca
The remains of this tower are located in the center of Sacsayhuaman. It intercommunicated with the other towers through tunnels. At present, only the foundations of the towers remain, since they were destroyed by the Spanish during the colony.
Group of Enclosures
They are rooms leaning on the hill a short distance from the towers. They are directed towards the Plaza de Armas in the city of Cusco. They are connected to each other by trapezoidal doors.
The Walls (The Bastions)
This area is made up of serrated (zigzag) platforms whose huge limestone walls fit perfectly together.
Historians claim that the first Spaniards who saw these walls attributed their construction to demons. Even today, its elaboration remains a mystery.
The first floor of the bastions has the largest walls. The largest weighs up to 128 tons. Due to this and many formidable constructions, Sacsayhuaman has earned the title of one of the most mysterious places on the planet.
The doors
They are found in the middle and central part of the bastions. They have a trapezoidal shape and served as the entrance to the tower area. Each gate has its own name: Ajawanapunku, T’iopunku and Wiracochapunku.
Suchuna
The rodaderos are a natural formation of diorite of volcanic origin. Over the years, it was molded into an arched shape as a slide (toboggan).
The throne of the Inca
The Inca throne or K’usilluc Jink’ian (Where the monkey stands) is a stone structure in the form of a seat or bench. They were symmetrically polished to such perfection that the ‘Throne’ dimension was gained.
Chincanas (Tunnels)
The 'chincanas' are tunnels or underground caves in Sacsayhuaman Cusco. There are two of them, the smallest is around 15 meters and has become a distraction for travelers. The big one is to the north of the complex.

According to oral tradition, many people tried to find the end of the largest tunnel without success. Some did not even make it out. This tunnel is believed to lead to the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun). Currently, the entrance to this chincana is closed.

Climate

Sacsayhuaman has a dry and temperate climate. The average temperature per year is 12°C. There are 2 seasons during the year. The rainy season (from November to March) presents the greatest amount of fluvial rainfall. The dry season (from April to October) has hotter days in the day and colder at night.

Sacsayhuaman Entrance Fee

To visit Sacsayhuaman you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket. Another option is to hire the service of a ‘City Tour’.

Schedules

Sacsayhuaman opens its doors from 7 a.m. at 6 p.m.

Integral tourist ticket

It is the most complete ticket as it includes more attractions (16). It is valid for 10 days from the date of purchase.

Here are the attractions included in said ticket:

In Cusco: the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Regional History, the Museum of Popular Art, the Monument to Pachacutec, the Qosqo Music and Traditional Dance Center, the Qoricancha Museum.
Around Cusco: the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Tipón, Pikillacta
In the Sacred Valley: the ruins of Pisac, the ruins of Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and the agricultural terraces of Moray

Partial tourist ticket

With 3 possible circuits, it is perfect if your budget is tighter, since you can spend a little time in each place and visit specific attractions of your interest.

Circuit 1: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara (the archaeological sites around Cusco). Valid for 1 day
Circuit 2: Regional Historical Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Popular Art, Qosqo Traditional Music and Dance Center, Coricancha Museum, Monument to Pachacutec, Tipón and Pikillacta. Valid for 2 days
Circuit 3: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray (sites of the Sacred Valley). Valid for 2 days

How much does the tourist ticket cost?

Foreign

The integral ticket costs 130 soles for adults, 70 soles for children between 10 to 17 years old and students between 18 and 25 years old (only with ISIC card).
The partial ticket costs 70 soles. There is no special price for foreign students. Children from 10 to 17 years old pay the student fee.
The ticket is free for children 9 and under.

Nationals

The integral ticket costs 70 soles for adults, 40 soles for children between 10 to 17 years old and students between 18 and 25 years old
The partial ticket costs 40 soles.
The ticket is free for children 9 and under.

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