This morning we explored the Incan ruins in and around Cusco. We began our day at Saqsaywaman, a large ceremomial site high on a hill to the west of the city. The walls are in the shape of lightning bolts as a tribute to the gods and are built on three different levels. The huge boulders on the base level can weigh up to 130 tons and were quarried over 2 miles from the site. Then they were carved to fit into each other sometimes with only a millimeter or two of separation. Incredible! At the top there was a large 3 story round structure whose upper level served as the Sun Temple. You can see the round foundation which is all that is left. After the Spaniards conquered the Incas, they removed many of the stones to build their Cathedrals. Lots of Alpaca living here too. Then it was on to Q’enqo. This is a much smaller site but unique in that the Incas carved a path deep into the rock and created several sacrificial alters for their religious ceremonies in a cave they discovered. From this site you could also see the canal system that the Incas created to bring water down to their capital city of Cusco as well as the start of one of 4 Inca roads that spread out over their empire. The last stop was in the heart of the city. Qorikancha, the Incan Sun Temple complex. Unfortunately the Spaniards in their desire to erase Incan civilization destoyed most of it and built a huge convent over it. In the last major earthquake however, the Incan walls stood and the Spanish convent was severely destroyed.
