Built in the 15^th century on a plateau north of the former Inca capital of Cusco, the Sacsayhuamán fortress is one of the most impressive ruins from the pre-colonial period. The construction began under the Inca ruler Pachacútec Yupanqui. 

Construction

It is located at an altitude of 3,701 meters (12,142 ft) and consists of stones up to 9 meters (29.528 ft) high and weighing almost 200 tons that were brought from a distance of over 20 kilometers (12.427 mi). As with other Inca structures, the blocks were carved with amazing precision so that they fit together seamlessly. It is estimated that over 20,000 people were employed during the decades of construction. After the Spanish conquest in 1533, an Inca rebel army led by Manco Inca Yupanqui attempted to recapture Sacsayhuamán from 1536 to 1937, but failed. Much of the citadel was used as a source of materials during the Spanish colonial period. 

Present-day use

Together with Cusco, the ruins were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The complex was originally used primarily for religious rituals and the traditional winter solstice festival "Inti Raymi" is still celebrated at the ruins every year on 24^th June. The name Sacsayhuamán is the Spanish derivation of the Quechua word "Saqsaywaman" and means something like "contented hawk".

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