Sacsayhuaman
is one of the great archaeological secrets of Peru – and of the world for that
matter. The megalithic stones that form its zig-zagging walls beg the question
of how, why, and by whom such a spectacular citadel was built. But for the
curious visitor, the northeastern edge of the complex offers an experience that
is just as unique and mysterious as the famous walls. In 2017, I had the
opportunity to visit and explore Sacsayhuaman’s network of caves, tunnels, stairs, and thrones.
On that
cold, rainy afternoon, I spent several hours hiking around the backside of
Sacsayhuaman. To reach this lesser known part of the complex, one only needs to
traverse the wide, grassy plaza, then climb the long, stone stairway to the top
of the mound.
