Sacsayhuaman, Peru

When I first heard the name from  a Peruvian native, I heard it as "Sexy Woman" ;). That is how "Sacsayhuaman" is pronounced in Peru. Sacsayhuaman is located on a hill overlooking Cusco and takes around 15 minutes to reach by car from Cusco. According to our guide Beth Sheila, Sacsayhuaman means "Satisfied Condor". In 1536, the Inca king, Manco Inca fought a battle with the Spanish at the Sacsayhuaman site. Thousands of men from both sides died and the Condors had a feast for many days. The Incas in the city of Cusco at that time referred to the area as "Satisfied Condor" and so the name Sacsayhuaman. Sacsayhuaman was used by the Incas as a fortress as well as a religious site. Along with Cusco, Sacsayhuaman is a World Heritage site. 

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As originally constructed, Sacsayhuaman had multiple levels, towers and storage rooms. The Incas used it
as a military as well as a religious site. After the Spanish invasion, many structures were demolished and
the stones were removed from Sacsayhuaman to construct Spanish buildings in Cusco.

The huge Cristo Blanco (White Jesus) statue overlooking Cusco on the left side was modeled after the famous
"The Redeemer" status in Rio de Janeiro.

Yet another Inca ingenuity: The Zig-Zag walls of Sacsayhuaman. The Inca engineers had clear knowledge about
constructing walls in such a way to withstand strong earthquakes. The walls of Sacsayhuaman were built in a
zigzag pattern. At each bend in the wall, the energy of the earthquake dissipates and these walls are still
standing stronger after more than 500 years!

Another view of the Zig-Zag walls. The Incas called the earthquake as a moving serpent
under the earth.  According to modern science, an earthquake' S-wave travels like a snake!  

Sacsayhuaman's walls looks like a random stacking of huge rocks, almost like a jigsaw puzzle. No mortar was
used to hold these rocks together. Each one of the rocks were individually slotted and fit together.
During an earthquake, the walls shake but they are never damaged!

This huge, single rock has been smoothly carved in to 90 degrees for using in this corner!

Stitch of 9 photos.