The famous Sun Temple of Cusco was and is in practice a
synthesis of the Inkan organization, architecture and religion;
that had already reached the summit of their level by 1438. It
possibly represented the "Navel of the World"; therefore, the
world's center in the pre-Hispanic Andean Cosmovision.
According to our history, it was the first Inka, Manko Qhapaq
who built the original temple. But, it was the ninth, Pachakuteq
who since 1438 reconstructed, enlarged, improved and modernized
the most important religious complex of the vast Inkan Society.
There are certain discrepancies about the complex's original
name, and though they are not antagonistic ones, they cause a
relative confusion. Frequently in chronicles and history
treatises the name Intiwasi is found, (inti= sun, wasi= house)
it means "Sun House"; also the name Intikancha is used and which
would mean "Sun Palace" (this is considering that almost all
Inkan palaces had the noun "Kancha"). While that its most
popular name is Qorikancha that would mean "Golden Palace".
Maria Rostworowski suggests that the ancient temple was known as
"Intikancha" and after Pachakuteq as "Qorikancha".
All the chroniclers coincide manifesting that the quality of the
building was extraordinary, made with gray basaltic andesites
coming from the quarries of Waqoto and Rumiqolqa. The walls have
the "Sedimentary" or "Imperial Inkan" type that is the maximum
expression of architecture in pre-Columbian America. The stones
are between medium to large which outer surface is rectangular;
the structure is straight horizontal that in the most important
temples exhibit side views with marked convexity. The joints
between stones are polished, so perfectly made that they do not
allow insertion of even "razor blade". The cross section
structure is "tied up", that is, with "H" shaped bronze clamps
or clips in the internal joints that fastened together the
lithic pieces avoiding harmful horizontal displacements in case
of earthquakes. The wall also have a decreasing vertical
structure, that is, with bigger stones in the lower part and
every time smaller toward the top. The walls are wider in the
base than on the top; with the classical inclination inward
(there is not a general rule or measurement for that
inclination) balanced with the trapezoidal shape of doorways,
niches and openings. Those characteristics make the walls
support themselves forming a resistant, solid, anti-seismic
structure that was able to resist the two huge earthquakes after
the Spanish invasion, in 1650 and 1950 that destroyed every
tough colonial building. Today in some Inkan walls of the
complex there are a few cracks. They are not a result of bad
calculation or technique of the Quechua architects, but simply,
consequence of changes carried out in colonial times, the
earthquakes and mainly exposition to inclement weather and
erosion after all of them. According to some studies the finely
carved stone walls had a continuation of sun-dried mud-bricks on
the top forming very steep gable ends in order to enable
drainage of rain waters. The roofing was thatched made in wood
and "ichu" the wild Andean bunch grass, with eaves projecting
out about 1.6 mts. (5.25 ft); roofs which modest aspect was
remedied in festivity days when they were covered with showy
multicolored rugs made with special feathers. Gasparini believes
that the often mentioned by chroniclers "gold edging" that
served as a crown surrounding the whole outer upper side of the
temple served, more over, in order to dissemble the difference
between the fine stone wall and the upper adobe wall. The floor
in the open areas of the temple must have been completely and
finely paved with flagstones while the floors inside the
enclosures were surely made with kilned clay as a solid ceramic
block like the treated floors found in Machupicchu.
The temple's main gate faced toward the Northeast; almost in the
same position of the present-day entrance to the Santo Domingo
(St. Dominic) Convent, overlooking the Intipanpa ("Sun Plaza")
that today occupies the small park in front. According to
chroniclers this was a religious complex constituted by temples
dedicated to different deities. It had a layout very similar to
that of a classical "kancha"; with enclosures around a central
patio where according to Cieza de Leon, every doorway was
veneered with gold plates.
Cusco Travel Packages
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Valley of the Peru Andes |
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colorful Indian market in Pisac
where a mixture of color, tradition will be able
appreciated The Valley has a distance of 31 km (19
miles) of Cusco and one altitude of 2,970 ms (9,700
p), Pisac where we will visit the market |
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[More Information] |
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Cusco Magnificent 3 days 2
nights |
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Upon arrival to Cusco reception
and transfer to the Hotel (tourist class) (first
class hotel and Deluxe available upon request )
where will receive an aromatic coca tea to
stimulating for the height, will have the free
morning, in the evening we will depart on a City
tour |
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[More Information] |
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Cusco Magnificent 4 days 3
nights |
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At 9:00am gather of its hotel to
make the trip to the Sacred Valley where We will
visit the colorful Indian market in Pisac where a
mixture of color, tradition will be able appreciated
The Valley has a distance of 31 km (19 miles) of
Cusco |
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[More Information] |
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Cusco Incas Empire 5 days 4
nights |
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Breakfast and at 5:30am transfer
to the train station to depart to Machupicchu the
trip takes about 4 hours and you will be traveling
in vista dome train, upon arrival to Aguas Calientes
you will have to approach the bus towards the
Ciudadela de Machupicchu |
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[More Information] |
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Cusco Sacred Valley 6 days 5
nights |
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Upon arrival to Cusco reception
and transfer to the Hotel (tourist class) (first
class hotel and Deluxe available upon request )in
the Valley, rest of day at leisure, overnight |
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[More Information] |
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Cusco Archeological 7 days 6
nights |
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Breakfast and at 5:30am transfer
to the train station to depart to Machupicchu the
trip takes about 4 hours and you will be traveling
in vista dome train |
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[More Information] |
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Cusco Incas Adventure 7 days
6 nights |
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At 9:00am gather of its hotel to
make the trip to the Sacred Valley where We will
visit the colorful Indian market in Pisac where a
mixture of color |
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[More Information] |
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| Related Sites:
Machu Picchu
Hotels - Cusco Peru
- Cusco Hotels |
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