[CUSCO] [SACRED VALLEY] [MACHUPICCHU] [HISTORY OF CUSCO] [THE TAHUANTINSUYO] [GENERAL HISTORY] [ARCHITECTURE]

ARCHITECTURE

Arquitecture
Inca Cuzco was different in concept and plan from European cities. It was designed in the form of a puma, with the 15th-century fortress of SACSAHUAMAN as the head. The confluence of the Huatanay and Tullumayo rivers was canalized and straightened to form the tail. The core of the city contained official and ceremonial buildings and residences of ruling officials. Many other buildings and residences were dispersed at a considerable distance in the countryside surrounding the core, but they were defined as part of the capital.

The Inca capital
is especially known for its architecture of enormous cut-stone blocks fitted so perfectly that no mortar was needed. Coricancha, the temple of the sun, and the fortress of Sacsahuaman are the most outstanding examples of this type of construction