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Location
Sacsayhuaman is an archeological group located to the north of the main
square of Cusco, and also north to the neighborhood of Qollqanpata that
through a median street that is about one block of longitude, that
unites the both. Sacsayhuaman is not that far from the city, is only 1km
from the chapel of San Cristobal.
Is located only 2km to the north from the downtown through a road with
asphalt. Its altitude is of 3600 meters over the level sea.
Meaning of the Name
Sacsayhuaman is a composed Quechua word, Sacsay that means satisfied,
and the huaman that is hawk. The hawk is a bird of prey that is most
common in the Peruvian Andes; it was the protector of the first Inka,
Mank Qhapaj.
Its construction will have started between the centuries XIV and XV. To
finish the work of art it took seven decades and it took about 20,000
men to do it.
In the times of the Incas was called “sun’s house” and it was a great
religious center of great importance in the local tradition, when the
Spanish arrive they thought that it was a fortress because of the
position and shape, it has three levels whose walls are made of rock and
they are perfectly align, and this gives someone the impression of a
great fortress on impenetrable access.
The first wall is the most impressive of them all because of the size,
made out of rocks that weight 90-125 tons every single one of them,
making it impossible for access, unless one would go through the three
doors in the complex.
In front of the complex there is a group called “suchuna” or slider, is
a natural formation of volcanic rock that emerges from the surface. To
the north of the plain one can see the throne of the Inka, that it is a
succession of benches worked on rock, beyond the famous chincanas or
tunnels. Between both places there is a reservoir in a circular shape
that has a perimeter or rock
On July 24th of every year there is a celebration of the Inti Raymi or
the festivity for the Sum at the plain of this monument.
In the surrounding area there is a statue of Jesus that is approximately
25 meters called “The White Christ” that was a present by the colonial
Palestine to Cusco. From this place you have a spectacular view of the
city of Cusco.
How to get to Saqsayhuaman?
In order to arrive to Saqsayhuaman you can take any City Tour (Pull) of
any travel agency (almost all of them offer this kind of service); from
the Main Square to Saqsayguaman Ruins, it will take you just 15 minutes
by bus, you can also reach Sacsayhuaman by foot climbing the step street
of Resbalosa, turn right past the church of San Cristobal and continue
to a hairpin bend in the road. Here, you’ll join the old Inca road
between Cusco and Sacsayhuaman to the top and left. The climb is steep
and it takes 30 minutes approximately from the Main Square to the ruins;
you can also arrive by private transportation or by taxi because it is
not very far from the city or you can just see the ruins from Cristo
Blanco taking the Tranvia Service. |
Opening Hours:
Monday through Sunday : 07:00 to 18:00 hrs.
Price: Entrance fee included in the Tourist Ticket.
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