Saqsaywaman

The base of the main complex was a three storey terrace built of stones weighing up to 160 tons, Saqsaywaman, the Sacred Valley, Peru

Coming back from Machu Picchu we stopped for another two more nights in Cuzco, the old Inca capital, to collect the luggage we had left behind in different places and refuel our energy by simply staying in one place. The only sight that was on our agenda was the Inca ruins at Saqsaywaman, a 40 minutes walk north of Cusco.

We lack a word to describe the enormous expanse of this old Inca settlement. Nowadays one can only see 20 % of what it once was like in its heydays. The base of the main complex was a three storey terrace built of stones weighing up to 160 tons, on top were buildings with thatched roofs. Now you can only see the foundation of this complex, mainly the first “floor” since only the largest stones were left untouched. The others were used by the Spanish to build the main churches but also their houses in Cusco.

The Sun Gate: on June 21st, the sun aligns in the doors … Saqsaywaman, the Sacred Valley, Peru

The Incas used to represent the holy animals in their construction, here the Condor … Saqsaywaman, the Sacred Valley, Peru

Saqsaywaman, the Sacred Valley, Peru

Saqsaywaman was the sight of one of the bloodiest battle fought against the Conquistadores with thousands of dead Incas left behind. Manco Inca escaped afterwards to the fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Unfortunately we had very little time to visit the whole site, since we got there rather late and needed to hike down the path to Cusco before it was getting too dark.