CUSCO: Centre of the Incan Empire

South America » Peru » Cusco » Cusco » Cusco
September 12th 2008

Published: October 6th 2008

Cusco is a truely schizophrenic fusion. The Incan empire built itself on the technological and territorial foundations from a number of cultures, and built an empire from the humble beginnings of the Cusco valley. When the Spanish tore down the impressive temples and buildings, to erect constructions worshipping Christianity and colonial 'progress', they were not silly enough to do away with the r... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 57, Displayed: 21

Comment Follow (2) Message

Adams

ArleneandBenj

Tearing asunder from a pleasant New Zealand urban environment, Benj and Arlene felt like a 'small' getaway, involving a bit of Tahiti (a few days), Easter Island (10 days), South America (6 months) and Mexico (2 months), visiting the Spanish/Iberian connection on route to the UK. Park or ride back to NZ via SE Asia, and work out how to get to Eastern Europe and Turkey in the process. Starting 20 June 2008, and not quite sure when to finish - probably when gripped either by poverty, or the need for familiarity - it´ll be the poverty. ... full info

Blog Options

Top Photos Blog Map

Print Version

[blog=329479]

[blogger=71270]

Sacred Valley

Living with the past

Terracing solid stone

Pisaq

Benj{s favourite - this buttress is built out on the cliff edge to support a walkway. Great place to sit and think...

Cliff construction 2

Arlene on Pisaq

The best thing about Pisac (Inca fort at one end of Sacred Valley) is that tourists stop at the fort, leaving the steep climbs and views above relatively empty.

You Shall Not Pass!

Note the lock points for what was a door. Simple and effective construction for people with no locks

And a good sized lunch...

Viracocha

Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valey fort) has a few unusual features in the rock. One the Incas thought a likeness of their god - a bearded aged fellow.

And their beautiful stone work

Including niches

The sound reverberation in these niches weas amazing, and the stone joins a seamless right into the depth of the niche.

Virachocha

... and a building built on the cliff. Truely Inca.

Ollantaytambos water features

How about a shaman stick

for your inca trail? Complete with real Llama teeth.

Shall we dance?

Fiesta!

The dancing here was fast ans furious, and trese kids were getting a great sweat up in their colourful gear, expressing their cultural heritage - for themselves. It was great to see.

Dental repairs, Incan style

Plant and moss growth gradually erodes the surface of the stone, and the joints between them. Good to see this large toothpick in action.

Hold it...

Some of the more backward sites received little restoration. This is a temporary fix that has been there a while...

Cave

Found a really interesting Arlene in one of these places.

Sacrificial rock

Among amazing stone.

Roadworks

This flash path is going in alongside Saqsaywaman, Cuscos hilltop fort.

6th October 2008

Darlene
non-member comment

Great to see all the photos amazing how quickly the time is passing ... and how many places you are squeezing in lovexx

Tot: 0.052s; Tpl: 0.015s; cc: 8; qc: 20; dbt: 0.0299s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Adams (ArleneandBenj) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

CUSCO: Centre of the Incan Empire

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved