QORICANCHA AND SANTO DOMINGO CONVENT

The convent was built over the spectacular Qoricancha, which translates as “golden enclosure”. It was the most important temple dedicated to worship the Sun, during Inca times, these walls were lined with solid sheets of gold. Today only the fine masonry is preserved; the Spanish took the place and looted the temple of the sun. Qoricancha was also an astronomical observatory, where the Inca priests followed the main events.

SAQSAYWAMAN.

Saqsaywaman, means “satisfied falcon”, is one of the most impressive sites built by the Incas. Current research suggests that it was probably used as a fortress but in the chronical information still is considered as a temple. 

This Inca construction is a wonderful archaeological site: even now, after many parts have been destroyed, everybody can appreciate the majesty, grandeur and splendor. The stones of the walls are incredible and the heaviest stone weight is more than 128 tons.

The Incas planned the city of Cuzco in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuaman at its head. The grounds surrounding Sacsayhuaman are still used today for the colorful Inti Raymi festival, held to celebrate the winter solstice on June 24.

Q’ENQO

The translation of the word Q’enqo or Kenko would be “Labyrinth” alluding to the tunnels, passages, and underground channels that this place housed. It is believed that the Spanish shaped the name of the place by calling it “Q’enqo” when traditionally in the Inca time it was known as “Q’inqu”. Q’enqo is entirely sculpted in a natural rock formation. The religious importance of this site led to its destruction by the Spanish; however, being completely made of stone, it managed to resist the attacks. Inside there are three important animals carved in the Andean worldview: the condor, the puma, and the snake.

PUKA PUKARA

Pucapucara means “the red fortress” in Quechua. It is a small site and although the name suggests that it was a fortress, it seems to have had a military function with a defensive purpose. It was probably used as an administrative center and was also a resting place for the chaskis who carried messages from one village to another.

TAMBOMACHAY

The name means “resting place” in Quechua. It is also believed that this place was used as a water temple. There are some interesting aqueducts, canals and fountains carved in stone, designed to channel water flowing from a nearby spring.