Sacsayhuamán
Cusco's stone citadel
Sacsayhuamán is a massive stone fortress on a hill overlooking Cusco, Peru, built by the Inca in the 15th century.
The walls consist of enormous limestone blocks—some weighing over 100 tons—fitted together without mortar in precise interlocking patterns.
The site hosts the annual Inti Raymi festival celebrating the winter solstice: We hiked up to Sacsayhuamán to watch the ceremony.
Day of maximum tilt
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- JuneSixth calendar month
- reenactmentStaged reproduction of events
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
procession · costume · ritual · pageant · sun worship · performance · tradition · spectacle
Ancient Peruvian civilization member
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- megalithLarge prehistoric monument stone
- stoneworkConstruction using rock
excavation · citadel · pre-Columbian · terraces · walls · ceremonial · artifact · temple
Former Inca imperial seat
- hilltopApex of a knoll
- AndesSouth American western range
- PeruPacific coast republic
- elevationHeight above reference point
overlook · valley · mountain · plateau · altitude · landscape · panorama · outcrops
Angled back-and-forth path
- rampartsProtective fortress walls
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- polygonalHaving many straight sides
- cyclopeanMassive and primitively constructed
interlocking · blocks · boulders · fitted · monumental · engineering · drystone · seismic
solstice
Day of maximum tilt
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- JuneSixth calendar month
- reenactmentStaged reproduction of events
ceremony · procession · costume · ritual · pageant · sun worship · performance · tradition · spectacle · tourists
Inca
Ancient Peruvian civilization member
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- megalithLarge prehistoric monument stone
stonework · excavation · citadel · pre-Columbian · terraces · walls · ceremonial · artifact · temple · foundation
Cusco
Former Inca imperial seat
elevation · overlook · valley · mountain · plateau · altitude · landscape · panorama · outcrops · terrain
zigzag
Angled back-and-forth path
- rampartsProtective fortress walls
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- polygonalHaving many straight sides
cyclopean · interlocking · blocks · boulders · fitted · monumental · engineering · drystone · seismic · angles
Cusco
Former Inca imperial seat
photography · hike · llama · souvenir · viewpoint · day trip · itinerary · backpacker · sunset · entrance