This morning we toured the Inca site reserved for temples, priests, leaders, and defenders of the Inca empire located above the city of Ollantaytambo. It is an immense site sprawled out on the mountain to the west of the village. It afforded long views of both the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba Valley for protection. The stonework associated with the temple structures was amazing. Each 60 ton block fit seamlessly with the next, and they were quarried on a mountain several miles away and then dragged up the mountain to be carved and placed. On the eastern end of the site was an astronomical area and housing for priests along with many channels bringing fresh water to the area. There were also active terraces growing potatoes and beans. The picture of the local woman is typical local dress and we see it often. You can also see the step outcroppings that were placed to climb from terrace to terrace, a Condor’s head carved into the rock, and also the food and grain storage structures placed high on the mountain across the valley.
