The Stone of the 12 angles is one of the places most photographed by tourists who visit the city of Cusco. As its name indicates, this rock has twelve polished corners in such a way that they fit perfectly with the other stones of the Inca wall. It is on Hatun Rumiyoq street, just a few steps from the Plaza de Armas.
Its perfect finish and perfectionist edging, the main characteristic of the Inca culture, made it a Cultural Heritage of the Nation in Peru.
Today, it is a fixed place to visit if you do tourism in Peru, with an incredible panorama, you will capture in a photograph this attractive and important tourist place. And best of all, it is only 8 minutes from Cusco's Plaza de Armas.
According to historians, the stone of the 12 angles would be more than 500 years old. It is a large stone embedded in an Inca wall, it has 12 angles that fit perfectly with the surrounding stones, which is why it is considered one of the most representative figures of perfection that was made in the time of the Incas.
It is presumed that the stone of the 12 angles represents the division of 24 families: 12 families in Hurin Cusco and 12 families in Hanan Cusco.
In the 16th century, the 12-angled stone was one of the immense Inca walls that formed part of the Palace of Inca Roca, who was the sixth ruler of Cusco. However, the Inca's palace was occupied by the Spanish, who took advantage of the wealth that existed inside, and decided to loot it.
This stone is very famous due to the perfection of its angles. Also, for being a slightly large and very solid stone.
Currently, it is not known with exact precision about the usefulness of this imposing stone, what we are sure and we have verified it many times is that the Incas had extensive knowledge about the architectural work they carried out. Constructions such as the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the Sacsayhuamán fortress and many more attractions that the city of Cusco has, will make you witness their incredible work.
The stone of the 12 angles measures 2 meters and weighs approximately 6 tons. The architects mention that if the stone were removed from its place, the Cusco Art Museum, which is located in one of the streets that adjoins this stone, would collapse.
It is located about 200 meters from the main square of Cusco (8 minutes walk) on Hatun Rumiyoc street near the San Blas neighborhood, surrounded by craft shops, jewelry stores and jewelry stores. It belongs to a construction where the Archbishop's Palace and the Museum of Religious Art of Cusco are currently located.
To get here, you just have to walk uphill in the direction of Triunfo street, continue in a straight line and you will arrive at the "Famous stone of the 12 angles".
The technique used by the Incas was precisely, methodically exact. The precision and combination of the 12 angles of the stone with the other rocks on the wall is amazing. The masonry was done precisely, methodically and in an extremely exact manner.
The fact that the stone has been carved in 12 different points to give stability to the structure, demonstrates the skill and intelligence of the Inca engineers.
There are other stones in the wall, which were cut into five, six and seven points. This is because its builders realized that it was an area prone to earthquakes, and therefore took precautions to give the wall a solid foundation. As proof, this structure has passed the difficult test of time, remaining standing for several centuries.
It is surprising to see how the 12 angles of this stone fit perfectly on the wall with other stones. The enigmatic stone of the 12 angles is a work of the skill of the Incas that you must know. Who would not like to take a picture in this traditional street of Cusco and its famous stone of the 12 angles?
The Stone of the 12 angles is in the middle of Hatun Rumiyoq street, so it doesn't cost anything to go there and photograph it. As well as this wall, the city of Cusco has many Inca and colonial buildings, as part of its urban environment. That is why it is recognized as a 'museum city'.
The stone is in the middle of Hatun Rumiyoq street, which is freely accessible 24 hours a day.
Despite the constant vigilance of the citizens of Cusco, the stone suffered an attack in 2014 when two Chilean citizens made a graffiti with their initials. Fortunately, professionals from the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco managed to erase them without damaging the surface. Violators were penalized.
Keep in mind that photographs of the 12 Angled Stone are allowed. However, the same does not happen when visitors want to touch it. As a protection and conservation measure, visitors are asked not to touch the stone structure. If so, it can last for many more generations.
Hatun Rumiyoq street, where the stone is located, is a passage packed with craft shops. This is nice for tourists who want to take a souvenir from Cusco for their country. However, it can also be frustrating for other visitors who just want to take a leisurely walk around the city. Be patient when some merchants insistently offer you to buy some crafts.
Following Hatun Rumiyoq street in a straight line, you will reach the San Blas slope. This street is famous for being a bohemian neighborhood where backpacker tourists of various nationalities gather. This street leads to the San Blas square where you can visit the workshops of famous Cusco artisans as well as the local church, the oldest in the city of Cusco.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
