Sacsayhuaman, also known as Sacsahuaman, is an impressive Inca archaeological complex, whose name in Quechua, "Saqsaywaman", translates as "fortress of the golden eagle". This ceremonial site is located about two kilometers north of the city of Cusco. The construction of Sacsayhuaman began during the rule of the Inca sapa Pachacutec in the 15th century, and was completed by Huayna Capac in the 16th century.

Despite numerous accounts by chroniclers such as Bernabé Cobo and Felipe Guamán Poma de Ayala, who described the use of embankments, ramps and ropes, the exact methods employed for the construction of Sacsayhuamán remain a mystery. This monumental structure left a deep impression on the Spanish conquistadors, including Francisco Pizarro. Pedro Sánchez de la Hoz, Pizarro's secretary, gave one of the earliest descriptions of the building, although the most detailed was by the mestizo chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.

From Sacsayhuaman, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Cusco and its surroundings, which highlights the strategic location of the site.

Sacsayhuaman is located at 3700 meters above sea level and covers a vast area of 3093 hectares. The site is surrounded by mountains such as Ausangate, Pachatusán and Cinca, and is crossed by the Tullumayu River. This region is rich in flora and fauna, highlighting the presence of llamas and hawks that embellish the landscape.

The location of Sacsayhuaman is related to the shape of the head of a sacred animal, possibly a puma, which represented the guardian of the earthly in the Inca cosmovision. Pachacutec redesigned the city of Cusco in the form of a lying puma, with Sacsayhuaman representing the head of this sacred animal. The most striking structure of the complex are the three enormous stepped walls, which seem to represent the shape of a fortress.

The construction process was typical of Inca architecture. The rocks, cut in a rudimentary way in the quarries, were transported by hundreds of men by ropes to the building site, where the final carving was done. These ropes so impressed the Spaniards that Diego de Trujillo, a conquistador, mentioned them in 1571 after inspecting a room full of construction materials.

Sacsayhuaman features a number of fascinating architectural elements, such as smoothly polished stone walls, figures carved into rocks, entrances to subway tunnels, and ritual structures possibly dedicated to the worship of water. Although it has been suggested that Sacsayhuaman may have been a military fortress where warriors were trained, its design also suggests a religious purpose, possibly as a great temple dedicated to the Sun God. However, during the Spanish conquest, the structure proved to be an effective fortress in the defense of Cusco. The construction of this monumental site took approximately 50 years and required the work of some 20,000 men.

Inside Sacsayhuaman were warehouses for food and weapons, as well as canals for water distribution. The throne of the Inca, a large rock carved and polished on several levels, allowed the sovereign to preside over ceremonies, parades and issue orders.

Today, only about 20% of Sacsayhuaman's original structure remains, because the Spanish dismantled its walls and towers during the conquest to prevent their use in future attacks, such as the one led by Manco Inca in 1536. The stones were reused in the construction of houses and churches in Cusco. However, you can still appreciate the three stepped limestone walls and several important structures, such as the sectors of Sacsayhuaman, Rodadero, the Throne of the Inca, Warmi K'ajchana, the Bath of the Inca, amphitheaters, chincanas (tunnels) and the bases of the ancient towers.

At the top of the fortress there were three towers: Muyucmarca, Sallacmarca and Paucamarca. Muyucmarca, the most prominent, was a cylindrical structure about 22 meters in diameter and the height of a four-story building. Sallacmarca, quadrangular in shape, allowed a full view of the city of Cusco, while Paucamarca, also square, was located at the opposite end of the complex.

Sacsayhuaman has religious importance, since it also functioned as a temple where the Incas worshipped the sun, especially during religious ceremonies. It is believed that on days of special festivities, tens of thousands of people congregated to make offerings and participate in pilgrimages.

The site shows a combination of geological materials, both igneous and sedimentary, belonging to different formations. These rocks are part of a geodynamic context with high seismicity, dominated by active faults that could affect the region in case of reactivation.

Every June 24, during the winter solstice, Sacsayhuamán becomes the scene of the Inti Raymi, a festival that recreates the Inca ritual of worship to the Sun God, Inti. In addition, from Sacsayhuaman it is possible to visit other nearby archaeological sites such as Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the Pukamuqu hill, where the statue of the White Christ is erected.

Radar images have revealed that Sacsayhuaman is aligned with other important Inca archaeological sites, such as Coricancha, Marcahuasi, the temple of Inca Huiracocha (now the Cathedral of Cusco), the Palace of Huascar, the temple of Manco Capac and Huamanmarca. These astronomical alignments suggest that the Incas used not only the planet Venus as a reference, but also the Sun, the Moon, the Southern Cross and the Pleiades.

Sacsayhuaman remains one of the most impressive testimonies of Inca engineering and spirituality, and a major tourist destination in the Andean region.