SAQSAYWAMAN, HOUSE OF THE SUN
| SACRED JOURNEYS Andean Connection trips to the sacred places in the Andes |
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Sacsaywaman, is a huge, stunning site which holds the great house of the Sun, where the head
of the Puma of Cusco resides. Its megalithic, zigzag stone walls were pieced together with
amazing skill, drawing the SNAKE and other ANDEAN SYMBOLS, like a lightening bolt across a
great field.
Sacsaywaman: The immense walls of the complex made up of huge stones distributed in a
zigzag pattern in three platforms. These platforms are connected by flights of stairs and
doorways also in stone; one of these is big stones is more than 100 tons. The largest stone
block found in Sacsaywaman stands 27.88ft high and weighs 130 tons. Together with the city of
Cusco, this monumental complex is considered one of the wonders of the world. This huge
construction was planned and built by Andean Man. The Inkas called it the House of the Sun.
The construction, which is made up of three platforms one on top of the other, was one of the
most important spiritual places at the Andes. Inka Pachakuti and other spiritual leaders
considered this place as the most important temple dedicated to the Sun.
The cusquenian mixed-blood Garcilaso de la Vega described in his chronicle "The Royal
Commentaries" every detail of this sacred spot, its walls, rooms, towers, doors and canals,
which have sparked great interest and admiration from visitors and residents alike. The
enormous blocks that form part of the construction were put together perfectly.
Archaeologists are currently excavating and have discovered water fountains, canals and
rooms. In the nearby flat area, every June 24th, local inhabitants hold the Festival of the Sun, or
Inti Raymi. Sacsaywaman witnessed important historic events.
Sacsaywaman Archeological Complex. 1 km northeast of Cusco (7 minutes by car). The area
contains thirty-three archeological sites. The most famous is Sacsaywaman, which was the most
important temple in Hanan Qosqo or upper Cusco, and dedicated to Andean celebrations for Inti
(Sun) and the Killa (Moon).
of the Puma of Cusco resides. Its megalithic, zigzag stone walls were pieced together with
amazing skill, drawing the SNAKE and other ANDEAN SYMBOLS, like a lightening bolt across a
great field.
Sacsaywaman: The immense walls of the complex made up of huge stones distributed in a
zigzag pattern in three platforms. These platforms are connected by flights of stairs and
doorways also in stone; one of these is big stones is more than 100 tons. The largest stone
block found in Sacsaywaman stands 27.88ft high and weighs 130 tons. Together with the city of
Cusco, this monumental complex is considered one of the wonders of the world. This huge
construction was planned and built by Andean Man. The Inkas called it the House of the Sun.
The construction, which is made up of three platforms one on top of the other, was one of the
most important spiritual places at the Andes. Inka Pachakuti and other spiritual leaders
considered this place as the most important temple dedicated to the Sun.
The cusquenian mixed-blood Garcilaso de la Vega described in his chronicle "The Royal
Commentaries" every detail of this sacred spot, its walls, rooms, towers, doors and canals,
which have sparked great interest and admiration from visitors and residents alike. The
enormous blocks that form part of the construction were put together perfectly.
Archaeologists are currently excavating and have discovered water fountains, canals and
rooms. In the nearby flat area, every June 24th, local inhabitants hold the Festival of the Sun, or
Inti Raymi. Sacsaywaman witnessed important historic events.
Sacsaywaman Archeological Complex. 1 km northeast of Cusco (7 minutes by car). The area
contains thirty-three archeological sites. The most famous is Sacsaywaman, which was the most
important temple in Hanan Qosqo or upper Cusco, and dedicated to Andean celebrations for Inti
(Sun) and the Killa (Moon).
| Mallku Direct contact: 0051/84-98476.1007 |
INTI RAYMI
Before the invader Spaniards banned the ceremonial events occurring each June Solstice in Cusco, the native residents
gathered to honor the Sun, they offer their respect to the Pachamama and Wiracocha, as the main entities giving life to
humanity.
These ceremonies took place at the June solstice, when the Sun is farthest from the earth. The celebrants fasted and putify
their bodies for days before the event, and were educated in the earth rituals. In 1572, Viceroy Toledo banned Inti Raymi
celebrations as pagan and contrary to the Catholic faith. Following the edict, the ceremonies went underground. Today,
thousands of people converge on Cusco from other parts of the nation, South America and the world for a week long
celebration marking the beginning of a new year, the Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun.
Every day has its events, from daytime expositions, street fairs, and people milling and dancing in the streets. In the
evenings, live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups draws the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts.
During the preceding year, in preparation for Inti Raymi, hundreds of actors are chosen to represent historical figures. Being
selected to portray the Sapa Inka or his wife, Mama Ocllo, is a great honor. The centerpiece of the festival is the all-day
celebrations on June 24th, the actual day of Inti Raymi. On this day, the ceremonial events begin with an invocation by the
Sapa Inka in the Qorikancha. Here, the Sapa Inka and the spiritual leaders call on the blessings from life. Following the
invocations, the Sapa Inka is carried on a golden throne, a provably replica of the ancient ones which weighed about 60 kilos,
in a procession to the Solar temple of Sacsayhuamán, in the hills above Cusco. With the Sapa Inka come the high priests,
garbed in ceremonial robes, then officials of the court, nobles and others, all elaborately costumed according to their rank,
with silver and gold ornaments.
They walk along flower-bedecked streets, to music and prayers and dancing. Women sweep the streets to clear them of evil
spirits. At Sacsayhuamán , where huge crowds await the arrival of the procession, Sapa Inka climbs to the sacred altar where
all can see him. Once all the celebrants are in place in the grand square of the temple, there are speeches by Sapa Inka, the
priests and representatives of the Suyos: the Snake for the world below, the Puma for life on earth, and the Kondor for the
upper world. It will be celebrations to ensure the fertility of the earth which in combination with light and warmth from the Sun
provides a bountiful crop. As the sun begins to set, stacks of straw are set on fire and the celebrants dance around them to
honor the Tawantinsuyu or the Empire of the Four Wind Directions. The ceremony of Inti Raymi ends with a procession back
to Cusco. The Inka and Mama Ocllo are carried on their thrones, the high priests and representatives of the masters
pronounce blessings on the people. Once again, a new year has begun. The Inti Raymi today occurs on June 24th and is
also celebrated throughout Peru as Indians Day.
Before the invader Spaniards banned the ceremonial events occurring each June Solstice in Cusco, the native residents
gathered to honor the Sun, they offer their respect to the Pachamama and Wiracocha, as the main entities giving life to
humanity.
These ceremonies took place at the June solstice, when the Sun is farthest from the earth. The celebrants fasted and putify
their bodies for days before the event, and were educated in the earth rituals. In 1572, Viceroy Toledo banned Inti Raymi
celebrations as pagan and contrary to the Catholic faith. Following the edict, the ceremonies went underground. Today,
thousands of people converge on Cusco from other parts of the nation, South America and the world for a week long
celebration marking the beginning of a new year, the Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun.
Every day has its events, from daytime expositions, street fairs, and people milling and dancing in the streets. In the
evenings, live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups draws the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts.
During the preceding year, in preparation for Inti Raymi, hundreds of actors are chosen to represent historical figures. Being
selected to portray the Sapa Inka or his wife, Mama Ocllo, is a great honor. The centerpiece of the festival is the all-day
celebrations on June 24th, the actual day of Inti Raymi. On this day, the ceremonial events begin with an invocation by the
Sapa Inka in the Qorikancha. Here, the Sapa Inka and the spiritual leaders call on the blessings from life. Following the
invocations, the Sapa Inka is carried on a golden throne, a provably replica of the ancient ones which weighed about 60 kilos,
in a procession to the Solar temple of Sacsayhuamán, in the hills above Cusco. With the Sapa Inka come the high priests,
garbed in ceremonial robes, then officials of the court, nobles and others, all elaborately costumed according to their rank,
with silver and gold ornaments.
They walk along flower-bedecked streets, to music and prayers and dancing. Women sweep the streets to clear them of evil
spirits. At Sacsayhuamán , where huge crowds await the arrival of the procession, Sapa Inka climbs to the sacred altar where
all can see him. Once all the celebrants are in place in the grand square of the temple, there are speeches by Sapa Inka, the
priests and representatives of the Suyos: the Snake for the world below, the Puma for life on earth, and the Kondor for the
upper world. It will be celebrations to ensure the fertility of the earth which in combination with light and warmth from the Sun
provides a bountiful crop. As the sun begins to set, stacks of straw are set on fire and the celebrants dance around them to
honor the Tawantinsuyu or the Empire of the Four Wind Directions. The ceremony of Inti Raymi ends with a procession back
to Cusco. The Inka and Mama Ocllo are carried on their thrones, the high priests and representatives of the masters
pronounce blessings on the people. Once again, a new year has begun. The Inti Raymi today occurs on June 24th and is
also celebrated throughout Peru as Indians Day.
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