Fortress of Sacsayhuaman in Cusco

The Sacsayhuaman Fortress is included among the wonderful destinations you must visit if you come to Peru and Cusco.

Being a tourist destination made of stone with amazing architecture, you will pass through roads with a very striking landscape. You will be able to see birds of different types and flowers that adorn every step you take.

Where is the Sacsayhuaman Fortress located?

It is located approximately 3,700 meters above sea level, only 2 km north of the historic center of Cusco.

How to get from Cusco's Main Square?

To get to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress you have to take into account that you can do it in a public or private transportation unit.

A walk also gives you a special feeling because you can start from the center of the city to continue to San Blas and reach the desired destination for about half an hour.

Another way, highly recommended is to visit the fortress through a travel agency because you will have the option of having a private transportation service and guide with the relevant explanation of all the history and characteristics of the destination.

What did Sacsayhuaman mean to the Incas?

According to historical studies, during Inca times, the Sacsayhuaman Fortress was considered a Ceremonial Center. Being a site of practice of religious rituals.

Named as the Temple of the Sun where he was worshiped. In other investigations it can also be visualized that it was a space for military training because it has food stores, weapons, irrigation canals to supply its inhabitants.

History of Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman in Inca times was a space of great relevance recognized as "The house of the sun of upper Cusco". A fortress built by the Inca Pachacutec from 1 400 to 1 471 years in the fifteenth century.

According to chroniclers, about 20,000 men worked on the construction of Sacsayhuaman. The construction took between 50 to 70 years, concluding in the period of Huayna Capac in the 16th century.

With the arrival of the Spaniards in 1533 with Francisco Pizarro with Pedro Sancho mentioned that it was not possible that this site could be made by men. On the contrary, it would be demons who were able to raise large stones.

For the first time in 1944 the Inti Raymi was celebrated in Sacsayhuaman or festival of the sun and to this day the tradition continues in honor of the legacy of the Incas.

Important features

The most attractive aspects of Sacsayhuaman are:

• The design of its construction is impressive, as are the giant stones that make up the structure of the fortress. They are perfectly joined to each other, without the intervention of any other element.
• The murallas are the zigzag walls typical of the Sacsayhuaman attraction, formed by large blocks of stone.
• The gates are trapezoidal in shape with an imposing posture that give way to the entrance of the towers.
• It has tunnels that tell stories of subway paths that transport you to secret places. These are narrow and therefore access to the largest of them is no longer allowed.
• The Throne of the Inca is a seat carved in stone where the most privileged view is obtained.
• The Suchuna or so-called Rodaderos are a natural diorite formation of volcanic origin.

Important Facts about Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Center

The word Sacsayhuaman comes from the Quechua language of the Incas. It means "Saqsay" as in full or satisfied, and "Huamán" which is hawk, translated as the place where the hawk eats until it is satisfied.

The most important celebration of the city of Cusco, the Inti Raymi or Feast of the Sol. Ceremony that takes place every June 24 in the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman.

This festival attracts a large number of visitors from all over the world to live the best experience with the staging of the Inca legacy.

Where to the beat of the music, songs and dances of the four suyos (divided places of the time). Undoubtedly it is a great opportunity to learn about the history of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire.

Visit Sacsayhuaman with Illapa

Knowing the Inca world is so easy and extraordinary with the travel agency Illapa, because it has a private bus to visit the tourist sites along with the bilingual guide who will accompany you on this tour. In addition, it offers you a personalized experience with other excursions to the best attractions of the entire Cusco that you can not miss, such as reaching the sacred city of Machu Picchu.