Cusco & Sacsayhuaman

 I have been thinking about putting a few more Peru images on the blog, but too many other things have consumed my time until now. We spent several days in Cusco before out trek to Machu Picchu. Cusco was the center of the Inca empire at the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. It is located near the Urubamba Valley in the Andes mountain range. Most tourist use Cusco as the place to acclimate prior to hiking to or visiting Machu Picchu. The old portion of the city, is filled with tourists and locals alike. The cathedral (above) is located on the Plaza de Armes, in the very active city center.

 Just outside of Cusco is Sacsayhuaman. Today, it is a ruin in the process of some limited restoration. The Spanish thought it was an Inca fortress used to defend the city, but to the Inca, it was a sacred place, a religious place.

The stones used in the construction vary in size from large to incredibly large. Some exceed 20 tons. Mortar was not used; all stones are cut to fit and shimmed with stone wedges behind the face. It is actually too amazing to describe; one must see it.

In the struggle between the Inca and the Spanish, the Europeans, at one point, were driven from Cusco and took refuge in the confines of Sacsayhuaman using it as a fortress. The Spanish eventually defeated the Inca with their much smaller fighting force; their advantage was the horse, muskets, and canons.

Once in control of the mnative people, the Spanish razed Inca buildings and used the stone to build churches, government buildings and homes for the conquerors. Little of Inca buildings remain in Cusco city.

Sacsayhuaman was looted of many of its stones; however the distance from the city may have helped preserve what remains.

After a day of hiking around Sacsayhuaman, the 11,000 foot altitude arouses a strong desire in most to take a nap.

To see a few more images from around Cusco and Sacsayhuaman, go to http://www.frankragan.com/Peru2010_6