Travel To The Inca Mysteries In Cuzco, A Fascinating City
Cuzco, in the Peruvian Andes, is a true jewel for the country. It was the capital of the Inca Empire and is known and recognized throughout the world for the archaeological remains that can be seen there. Today we visit the Inca mysteries in Cuzco, the archaeological remains that make it one of the most special places on the planet.
Sacsayhuamán, one of the great Inca mysteries in Cuzco
The first place we are going to discover is Sacsayhuamán, a ceremonial fortress that is located just two kilometers from the city. Its construction began in the 15th century, but it was finished thanks to Huayna Cápac 70 years later.
It was built with the labor of more than 20,000 people, who had to drag the stones to the site for more than 20 kilometers. Sacsayhuamán is, according to many experts in the Inca culture, one of the most impressive sites that remain of this culture.
There are many details that make it, at least, a curious place and one of the Inca mysteries in Cuzco. For example, those stones we were talking about are not joined by anything, neither amalgams nor glues.
Another of the great mysteries that Sacsayhuamán keeps is a recently discovered solar clock that is more than 3000 years old. Some experts say that it is probably not an Inca vestige, but a pre-Inca one. This means that perhaps the fortress was built before the city of Cuzco.
Coricancha
The second of the stops on our journey through the Inca mysteries in Cuzco was a temple of a religious character, but also a political one. It is located in the heart of the capital. Etymologically, Coricancha means temple or gold enclosure.
The most curious thing about this enclosure is the shape of the sun it has. Each of the roads that start from it, simulating the rays, go to different sacred sites by the Incas, more than 300 different sites.
In addition, Cuzco is shaped like a puma or jaguar and Coricancha is located on the tail of the animal. Sacsayhuamán, of which we have just spoken, is in the head.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas
This valley, of impressive beauty, is formed by many rivers that descend through waterfalls and valleys. In addition, there are dozens of archaeological monuments and indigenous peoples in the area.
The valley is outside what is the city proper, so it is necessary to hire an excursion with a travel agency in Cuzco. You cannot miss Moray, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo to fully know the Inca history and culture.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Another of the most special places in Cuzco and essential for everyone who visits the area is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. There are more than 40 kilometers of trails in which to discover and enjoy ruins, wonderful landscapes and an impressive native flora and fauna.
You will not have to walk the paths that separate Cuzco from the sacred city of Machu Picchu. There are many agencies that offer these trips and that include transportation, food and other services. Although there are many options to suit different budgets, it is an expensive excursion, costing around $900.
Tambomachay
This is another of the special places in Cuzco. In this case, it was intended for the cult of water and also for the rest of the most powerful of the Empire. It is located about 5 kilometers from the city of Cuzco and to get there it is necessary to hire an excursion at any travel agency in the capital.
The Inca tradition knows this place as “the bath of the Ñusta”, due to the aqueducts that carry water throughout the year to the building. This is located in some grassy hills and in which beautiful flowers of unique colors in the area sometimes appear. This makes the area beautiful and worth visiting.
The buildings themselves are also beautiful, and architecturally unique. The constructions are made with very well joined irregular polyhedra ; the walls are sloping inwards and have large niches and niches.
