Pikillaqta, Rumiqolqa, and Huacarpay

Pikillaqta

This archaeological site located 30 km east of Cusco is a fortress of ancient Peru dating back to the pre-Inca period. The site was an important place of the Wari (or Huari) culture; a civilization that flourished in the years 500 to AD 1000.

The place was founded around AD 650 as a huge fortress with five highly fortified entrances. Pikillaqta would have served as a religious site where the Wari from neighbouring settlements would come to feast.

The Kañaraqay complex located 1.5 km from the main site.

The Kañaraqay complex.

Rumiqolqa

Rumiqolqa is a gigantic gate built by the Incas between two of the four regions of their vast empire. It is believed to have been built by the Wari culture (AD 500 to 1000) and then modified by the Incas (AD 1400 to 1572).

The site was also used as an aqueduct to transport water to the city of Pikillaqta.

To get an idea of the size of each stone, notice my camera lens cover on the wall.

These huge, perfectly interlocking stones are a remarkable feature of Inca architecture.

Huacarpay