Pisaq
Across one mountain range from Cuzco in the eastern end of
the Sacred Valley lies the modern town of Pisaq, and approximately
six kilometers behind it the startling Incan ruin also known
as Pisaq. For someone viewing a major Incan ruin for the first
time, as I was, the scale of the terracing is awesome. Extremely
precise, robust terraces cover entire mountain sides with
their characteristic stonework stairs.
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Incan terraces at Pisaq.
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An overview of the major Incan ruins at Pisaq.
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A closer view. The sun temple, housing the so-called
"intiwanata", or sun measuring device, is
visible at the upper left.
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As at all Incan ruins, we find these water fountains.
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And these.
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A look-out perched on an outcrop looming above the
ruins. This type of architecture, merging the natural
with the Incan-built stonework, is typical and presages
much more dramatic architectural effects of the same
type to be found at Machu Picchu.
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