Peru | Sacsayhuaman

The citadel of Sacsayhuaman (variable hawk in Quechua) is located in the outskirts of Cusco, Peru. The immense walls (the biggest stones are up to 8,4m high and weigh 140 tons) were designed to defend the capital of the Inca empire. Though the Killke culture started to build the first features of this site around 900, the final design was achieved by the Inca's around 1300. Of course, the fortress has been altered during the Spanish Conquest, with the use of smaller stones to rebuild parts of Cusco. The arqueological site, together with the historic centre of Cusco have been put on the Unesco world heritage list in 1983. Nowadays Sacsayhuaman is still used for the celebrations of the Into Raymi (the Inca festival of the winter solstice).

Exif: 60mm, 1/320s, F9, ISO 100

Nikon D800, Nikkor 24-70mm, B+W UV Filter, tripod.

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