The Fortress of Sacsayhuaman (continued)

This is the fortress that Inca leader Pachacutec began before his death n 1471, that his son, Tupac Inca Yupanqui completed.  We see walls over fifty feet high, made of stones that weigh from 130 to 200 tons.  I needed to remind myself that one hundred thirty tons is 260,000 pounds.  We still don't know how the Inca moved these massive stones.

Note the precise cut of these huge stones fitted closely together with no mortar to hold them.

Only one person at a time could pass through this doorway. 

The construction shows strategic planning. The huge stone walls are long. There is never more than one entry point or 'doorway' in any area of the fortress. And the doorways are always small--only one person could pass through at a time.  No groups of intruders or attackers could easily penetrate any part of Sacsayhuaman. 

The walls also have a slight inward tilt.  It's possible that this angle, combined with the meticulous cut of the stones, helped Sacsayhuaman survive earthquakes have rocked this area.

Not long after the Spanish conquest of the Inca, Manco, the puppet Inca ruler that Pizarro appointed, began his rebellion here. Ultimately Manco lost Sacsayhuaman to the Spanish and retreated to Ollantaytambo.  

Once the Spanish took over the fortress, they used it to protect Cusco and as a source for stone. The Spanish pillaged for supplies to use in new construction in Cusco.  What remains of Sacsayhuaman now is probably less than half of its original size.