Cusco, Peru has a long history and many Inca archaeological sites that can be visited today. The most important sites include Coricancha, a temple that was completely covered in gold; Sacsayhuaman, a fortified site of battles; and Tambomachay, Inca ceremonial baths. Guided tours are available through agencies to explore these and other ruins that provide evidence of the advanced Inca civilization.

2. If you like history and ancient sites, the city of Cusco in Peru is the perfect place for you. Cusco has a long
and colorful history with many civilizations living in the area before the arrival of the Incas. However, what
most interests people are the Inca archaeological sites around Cusco. To put ourselves in perspective a
bit, it is necessary to turn the clock back to the 12th century. During this period there was the First Inca
king known as Manco Capac. He was, according to legend, ordered by the Sun God Inti to find the best
place to sink his golden rod into the ground until it disappeared. So he found the area where he founded
Cusco, the navel of the earth. The main expansion of the Inca empires was in the last hundred years before
the arrival of the Spanish. The ninth Inca Pachacutec was responsible for many of the archaeological sites
that you can visit today such as Qorikancha and Ollantaytambo. And together with the travel experts of
Machu Travel Peru, we have proposed a small article where you will know the most important
archaeological sites of Cusco. Join us to know the wonderful sites that surround the Imperial City!
Some of the most important archaeological sites of Cusco
• Coricancha
• Twelve Angled Stone
• Sacsayhuaman
• Qenqo
• Pukapukara
• Tambomachay
• Tipón
• Piquillacta
• Rumicolca

3. CORICANCHA
In Inca times, the Coricancha was the most important temple of
the Inca Empire. Most of the temple was completely covered in
gold. The interior walls were covered with gold leaf and there were
also numerous replicas of objects in its courtyard. Among the
replicas, you could find corn, altars, llamas, and life-size babies in
gold and silver, in addition to having a replica of the Sun. The
Spanish took a few months to melt all this and send all the gold
to Spain. After the conquest, Francisco Pizarro gave the site to
his brother, Juan, who after his death left it to the Dominicans
who built the church of Santo Domingo. Today visitors can
appreciate the Inca foundations along with the beautiful Spanish
church built on top. The church is an impressive example of
Spanish architecture and you should take the time to explore the
impressive art collections. Take the time to see the many other
ancient churches in Cusco as part of your Cusco city tour. Being
able to know this site is, without a doubt, one of the best things
to do in Cusco.

4. TWELVE ANGLED STONE
In Hatunrumiyoc, a narrow alley that runs alongside
the Cathedral, you will find impressive examples of
Inca Walls. These feature Spanish colonial
buildings built on Inca foundations. However, one of
the main points of interest is the stone of the
twelve angles. You’ll know you’re close when you
see the crowd of tourists gathered. This is the only
known stone of this type. Despite not being an
archaeological site in itself, it is great evidence of
the mastery that the Incas had when building.
Within the different tours in Peru, you will have the
opportunity to know this as other important
attractions.

5. SACSAYHUAMAN

6. There are four archaeological sites close to Cusco that are a must on every Cusco tour. The first and
closest to Cusco is Sacsayhuaman. In 1536, the fortress was the scene of one of the bitterest
battles of the Spanish conquest. More than two years after the entry of the Spanish into Cusco,
Manco Inca recovered the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. He used it as a base to besiege the conquerors
in Cusco. Sacsayhuaman had a religious and military significance since it was the guard post over
Cusco.
The name Sacsayhuaman can be translated from Quechua to “place where the falcon is satiated.” The
name is surely due to the presence of these birds. What you see today is only 20 percent of the
original structure. Shortly after the arrival of the Spanish, they broke down many of the walls to build
their own houses. But luckily they left the biggest and most important stones for us to enjoy today.
Today it is also the headquarters of one of the most important festivals in Cusco, known as the Inti
Raymi.

7. QENQO

8. Right next to Sacsaywaman are the fascinating Qenqo ruins. The name Qenqo also comes from the
Quechua language and means “zigzag” or “labyrinth”. The ruin is an interesting mix of niches, steps,
and extraordinary symbolic carvings, including the zigzag canals that gave this site its name.
This is believed to be a sanctuary dedicated to the cult of animals. Qenqo is made up of ruins
formed by rocky sites with jagged steps. You can also find the main building that resembles an
amphitheater. It is located on the road to Sacsayhuaman just 4 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas
and the Cusco Cathedral.

9. PUKA PUKARA
The archaeological site of importance is Puka
Pukara which has a great view of Cusco. The
name also comes from the Quechua language
and can be translated to “Red Fort”. Puka Pukara
is an Inca archaeological site on the top of a
mountain, believed to have military and
administrative functions.
Due to its proximity to Tambomachay, it is
believed to be related to its defenses and the
control of the route to Calca leading to Antisuyo
(Inca Forest). It is a fortification made up of
platforms, stairs, passages, towers, railings, and
a wall to protect the entire building in a circular
shape. The site is located just 7 km from the
Cusco main square.

10. TAMBOMACHAY
Finally, there is Tambomachay. This
archaeological site consisted of Inca ceremonial
stone baths. These channeled the spring water
through sources that are still in operation. Some
theories suggest that the site was used as a
place of worship for water or a site where the
nobility bathed in ceremonies.
This was a place reserved for the Incas of the
higher social class. It is called “Baños del Inca”
(The hot spring of the Incas). In its construction,
you can see stonework with precise finishes
that show the incredible mastery of hydraulic
engineering. It mainly consists of a set of walls
connected by stairs.

11. TIPON
South of the city of Cusco, there are even more
fascinating ruins to discover. Approximately 30
minutes by car from the city is Tipón. Tipón is
another important Inca archaeological site that can
be found 23 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of
Cusco.
It is mainly an agricultural area, with megalithic
buildings and an amazing citadel. There is also a
large group of large agricultural terraces. As you
scale the Andean landscape, its size will decrease.
A great wall covers all the contours of the area. In
which in its center there is a set of constructions
made of megaliths. And in the center, you can find
the remains of an ancient citadel. It is believed that
a large population of Incas existed here.

12. PIQUILLACTA
This is an Inca archaeological site located 38 km
(23.6 miles) southeast of Cusco. Piquillacta is
made up of the remains of a city that once
occupied an area of 50 hectares. Inside you can see
large constructions, some with two floors,
embankments, large walls that reach up to 7
meters in height, and aqueducts among other
things.
This is a site where one can visualize the scope
achieved by the Inca in its architecture and urban
organization. Some historians believe that this site
had a military purpose as a supply center due to the
large deposits of agricultural products, tools,
clothing, and weapons that have been found.

13. RUMICOLCA
Not far from Piquillacta is Rumicolca, the huge Inca
Gate that was built on the foundations of a Wari
temple. Rumicolca is an Inca archaeological site,
located about 39 kilometers (24.2 miles) southeast of
Cusco and 1 km (0.62 miles) from Piquillacta. This is
the main entrance to Cusco on the way to Collasuyo
(the southern province in Tahuantinsuyo).
This place had the functions of a customs post. The
huge and majestic portal is built of carved stone,
surrounded by high walls, and water channels flow
through the lower vertex. There is also a large aqueduct
used as a water supply for the population of Piquillacta.
After visiting the different museums in Cusco, make
sure you get to know this wonderful place.

14. TOURISM IN CUSCO
Tourism in Cusco is growing every year and among the must-sees in the area are the archaeological sites
around the city. The city is full of interesting ancient sites to visit. Every day at Plaza Regocijo there is a
free walking tour in Cusco that will take you to all the wonderful places in the Imperial City. This service is
offered in both English and Spanish and the guides are very informative.
Or you can also decide to book a private city tour with one of the many agencies located around Cusco. The
tour will take you to Qorikancha, the Cathedral and the ruins above Cusco. If you were wondering if Cusco is
safe to travel, your answer is yes. The wonderful Imperial City is a highly touristy place, so security
measures are constantly being taken. Cusco is unlike anything you can experience anywhere else in the
world, so book your tour of this wonderful ancient Inca city today.

15. “EVIDENCE DOESN’T LIE. HISTORY MAY BE
ACCURATE, BUT ARCHAEOLOGY IS PRECISE.”

16. As you can see, the archaeological sites around Cusco are many. You can even find many more, some
of which are usually not that popular. If you want to know more about the different archaeological
sites around, you can consult with our team of qualified advisers. They are experts in scheduling
private guided tours of the most important sites. Together with the experts from Machu Travel Peru,
we hope we have been helpful. If you want to know more about the different sites, do not hesitate
to consult other of our articles.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in
the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu
Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
Visit: www.machutravelperu.com