Sacsayhuaman is an impressive example of Inca engineering

Where is Sacsayhuaman located?

History of Sacsayhuaman

In 1450, the Inca Pachacutec—the ninth ruler of the Empire—ordered the construction of an impressive sanctuary. This sanctuary was built to celebrate the military victories of his son Túpac Yupanqui.

Sacsayhuaman architecture

• Sacsayhuaman's architecture features sacred constructions such as residential buildings, towers, shrines, warehouses, roads, and aqueducts. The landscape's shape and harmony mirrors that of other Inca sacred places, like 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 defined by a polished wall that spans approximately 400 meters. The east and west are defined by other walls and platforms.
• The Inca chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega stated that Sacsayhuaman was the greatest architectural work the Incas built during their heyday.

Here are the facts about Sacsayhuaman

• Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park is an impressive 3,000-hectare site located at an impressive 3,700 meters above sea level.
• It is located 3 kilometers from Cuzco, the capital of the ancient Inca Empire.
• It is believed to have been a military fortress, but recent research definitively shows that it was actually used for religious purposes.
• It is a temple dedicated to the cult of the sun.
• Construction took more than 50 years, with approximately 20,000 men working 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, a testament to the Inca's mastery of architectural technique on a grand scale.
• Large rocks from the quarries were dragged with ropes by hundreds of men.
• Its exterior walls are over 9 meters high, 5 meters wide, and 4 meters thick. Some weigh more than 350 tons.
• It is clear that some types of rock do not originate from the same place. It is certain that they were transported from more than 38 kilometers away.
• Sacsayhuaman is in direct communication with the Coricancha and three other Inca buildings in the area. This is a clear reference to astronomy.
• The construction is almost completely destroyed. At the time of the Spanish conquest, it was almost completely destroyed.
• Currently, only 20% of the construction remains.
• The remains of the fortress were used as a quarry to build houses and churches in Cuzco.

The Mystery of Sacsayhuaman 

Cunningham is the author of The Map That Talked, a book 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, but an advanced civilization of which we have lost memory.

This ancient form of writing is the basis of the geometric shapes that take into account the movement of the Moon and the Sun. According to his mystery of Sacsayhuaman, the astronomical values considered central to anticipating eclipses become "angular values." The stones of the monumental wall (see map) are made of these materials.

Astronomical terms define it as a combination of the values used to measure time (sidereal month: 27.32 days) and the values used to determine when the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun align at the nodes. This includes the moon's 18.6-year nodal cycle, the 6,511-day draconic month between eclipse seasons, and the 5.1-degree tilt of the moon's orbit. The rest of the values are either the values of the middle of the different lunar terms or values linked to the 11-day difference between the lunar and solar years.

He believes that this old way of writing was the foundation for the geometric shapes that were used to study the movement of the Moon and the Sun. According to his theory about Sacsayhuaman, the astronomical values considered central to anticipating eclipses become "angular values." These are the stones that make up the monumental wall (see map).

In the study of astronomy, it is a combination of two types of values. The first type is used to measure time. It is called the sidereal month, and it has a duration of 27.32 days. The second type is used to determine when the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun align at the nodes. This includes the moon's 18.6-year nodal cycle, the 6,511-day draconic month between eclipse seasons, and the 5.1-degree tilt of the moon's orbit. The other 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 just one example of ancient writing based on astronomy. It has been found in many places around the world. The Ishango bone (Africa) and the stone (China) are some of the oldest examples of art and writing. The Ishango bone was carved with bones, and the stone was carved with tools about 30,000 years ago. This shows that people were using language and writing a long time ago.

Cunningham wants to know if the massive polygonal walls of Sacsayhuaman line up with the exact astronomical values used in the Muiscan figurines of Colombia and the giant Atacama of Chile. The surprising result is yes.

How to get to Sacsayhuaman?

Many tourists wonder how to get to Sacsayhuaman when they arrive in Cusco. Here are some ways to get to this impressive archaeological site:

• You can get to Sacsayhuaman by walking:
  You can get there from the main square of Cusco by going up Sweden Street and continuing on 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 to walk to the complex.
  
  
• Take a taxi to Sacsayhuaman:
  You can take a taxi from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco to the same archaeological site. You can also find return taxis. This option gives you plenty of time to explore Sacsayhuaman.
  
  
• You can visit Sacsayhuaman as part of a city tour
  All agencies that offer tours in Cusco have this option. This will help you learn more about the archaeological sites at Sacsayhuaman. You can get the tourist ticket from Cusco to enter.

What to see in Sacsayhuamán?

Beyond the beautiful view of the city, the site has special buildings that stand out because of their history and interesting architecture. Here are the five most important things to know about the tour:

• The Bastions (Zigzag Walls)

  This is the most typical structure of the area. They are three platforms built with huge limestone blocks that fit together perfectly. The zigzag layout of these walls creates shadows that look like a puma's teeth. On the first level, you'll find the largest stones, some of which weigh 128 tons and are 5 meters tall.
  
  

• Muyucmarca Tower

  It was located at the top of the walls, and today only its round, concentric foundations remain. It is important in history because it was the site of the Inca resistance in 1536. According to records, the Inca general Titu Cusi Huallpa (also known as Cahuide) jumped from its top to avoid being captured by Spanish troops. Originally, this tower was used to store water and as a place to watch the surroundings.
  
  

• Suchuna (The Slides)

  It is located in front of the bastions and is a natural rock formation of volcanic origin. Over time, the rock's surface became curved and smooth, like a slide. Right now, it's one of the most popular places on the tour because visitors can slide down these stone ramps.
  
  

• The Inca's Throne (K'usilluc Jink'ian)

  It is a carved and polished stone structure with great symmetry that resembles a set of seats or steps. It is believed to have functioned as a box of honor for the Inca or the nobility during ceremonies and important festivals because it is in a strategic location with a direct view of the main esplanade and the bastions.
  
  

• The Chincanas (Tunnels)

  These are underground holes in the slides area. There are two main ones. The smaller one, which is about 15 meters long, is open to the public. You can walk through it for a short time. The larger one, located to the north, remains closed for safety. According to oral tradition, these tunnels connected Sacsayhuaman with the Coricancha. However, this is more of a myth than confirmed archaeological evidence.

Chincanas of Sacsayhuaman

Climate

Sacsayhuaman has a dry and temperate climate. The average temperature per year is 12°C. There are two seasons: summer and winter. The rainy season, which is from November to March, is when the most rain falls. The dry season (from April to October) has hot days and cold nights.

The entrance fee to Sacsayhuaman is:

To visit Sacsayhuaman, you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket. You could also choose to take a "City Tour."

Schedules

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

This is a ticket for tourists.

It is the most complete ticket because it includes more attractions (16). It is valid for 10 days from the day it is purchased. Here are the attractions included in the 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

This is a ticket for only some of the attractions.

With three possible circuits, it is perfect if you don't have a lot of money, since you can spend a little time in each place and visit specific attractions that interest you.

• 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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