Sacsayhuamán: The Megalithic Inca Fortress Above Cusco Explained

What Is Sacsayhuamán and What Does the Name Mean?

Sacsayhuamán is a walled Inca complex overlooking Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, and part of the City of Cuzco UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Quechua name is usually translated as satisfied falcon or royal falcon, from saqsay, to be full, and waman, falcon or hawk.

Most English speakers pronounce Sacsayhuamán roughly as sak-sigh-wah-MAHN. Guides often joke that it sounds like sexy woman, which helps visitors remember it.

A popular story says Cusco was laid out in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuamán as its head and the zigzag walls as its teeth. Historians treat this as a tradition rather than proven fact.

For the full picture, start with our Cusco, Peru guide.

Who Built Sacsayhuamán, and When?

Spanish chroniclers recorded that Sacsayhuamán was built mainly under the Inca ruler Pachacuti in the 15th century and expanded by his successors Túpac Inca Yupanqui and Huayna Capac. Archaeologists have also found earlier Killke culture remains on the hill, from around 900 to 1200 CE, so the site was used before the Incas.

Chroniclers described thousands of laborers working in rotating shifts under the mit'a labor tax. Exact worker numbers and the time construction took are uncertain, and figures vary widely between sources. The broader Inca story is in our Machu Picchu history guide.

How Were the Giant Walls of Sacsayhuamán Built?

The giant walls of Sacsayhuamán were built from huge limestone and andesite blocks cut and shaped with harder hammerstones, then moved with ropes, ramps, wooden levers and large teams of workers. Each block was ground to fit its neighbors so tightly that no mortar was needed. The largest stone is estimated at roughly 125 to 200 tons.

The three terraced walls run about 1,300 feet (400 m) in a zigzag pattern, which may have helped defense and withstand earthquakes. Weight estimates for the biggest blocks differ by source, so treat any single figure with caution.

Andesite for some structures was brought from quarries as far as about 20 miles away, while the main limestone came from nearby. Experiments have shown teams of about 100 people can drag multi-ton stones on prepared surfaces.

What Happened at Sacsayhuamán During the Spanish Conquest?

During the Siege of Cusco in 1536, the Inca ruler Manco Inca used Sacsayhuamán as his base against Spanish forces in the city. After heavy fighting, the Spanish and their Indigenous allies captured the complex, and Juan Pizarro was killed in the attack. The defeat helped end the siege and pushed Manco Inca toward Vilcabamba.

After the conquest, the Spanish used Sacsayhuamán as a quarry. Smaller stones were carried down to build colonial churches and houses in Cusco, which is why mostly the largest blocks remain. Manco Inca's later stand is covered in our Ollantaytambo town and ruins guide.

What Can You See at Sacsayhuamán Today?

At Sacsayhuamán today you can see the three tiers of zigzag walls, the wide esplanade used for Inti Raymi, the foundations of three towers once called Muyuq Marka, Sallaq Marka and Paucar Marka, the polished Rodadero rock and so-called Inca Throne, and short rock passages known as the Chinkana. Views over Cusco are excellent.

• Zigzag walls: the giant fitted stones most visitors come for.
• Esplanade: the large grassy plaza facing the walls.
• Muyuq Marka: circular tower foundation on the hilltop.
• Rodadero: smooth rock slope on Suchuna hill with carved seats known as the Inca Throne.
• Chinkana: natural rock channels used as short tunnels.
• Cusco viewpoint: wide views over the city's red rooftops.

How Much Is the Sacsayhuamán Entrance Ticket?

Sacsayhuamán does not sell a separate ticket for foreign visitors. Entry is through the Cusco Tourist Ticket, the Boleto Turístico, reported at about S/130 for the full 10-day pass covering 16 sites, or about S/70 for the partial Circuit I pass covering Sacsayhuamán and nearby ruins. Check current prices at the official ticket office.

Prices are reported by tour operators and can change. The pass is sold at the Cusco tourist office (COSITUC) and at some site entrances, usually in cash.

How Do You Get to Sacsayhuamán From Cusco?

You can walk to Sacsayhuamán from Cusco's Plaza de Armas in about 20 to 30 minutes up steep stone streets through the San Cristóbal area, take a taxi in about 10 minutes, or visit on a half-day Cusco city tour that also stops at Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Walking is steep at this altitude.

1. Spend at least one day in Cusco adjusting to the altitude.
2. Buy your Boleto Turístico before you go.
3. Walk up from the Plaza de Armas via Calle Suecia or take a taxi.
4. Show your pass at the entrance.
5. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours on site.
6. Walk on to Cristo Blanco for sunset views, or return downhill.

At about 12,140 feet, the site is higher than central Cusco, so go slowly; see our Cusco altitude guide.

More sights for your city days are in our list of things to do in Cusco, and our Cusco map guide shows how they fit together.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Sacsayhuamán?

The best time to visit Sacsayhuamán is early morning, soon after opening at around 7 am, or late afternoon before closing at around 5:30 pm, when light is soft and tour groups are fewer. The dry season from May to September has clearer skies, while June 24 brings Inti Raymi crowds and closures.

Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the sun, is restaged on the esplanade every June 24. Grandstand seats are sold separately and normal visits are restricted that day. Seasonal patterns are explained in our best time to visit Machu Picchu guide.

If you are also weighing this, see our Qorikancha guide.

Prefer to have it all arranged? Alongside this Sacsayhuamán Peru guide, our Machu Picchu vacation packages covers transport, tickets and a licensed guide.

Sacsayhuamán sits uphill from the center, so check our Cusco map of neighborhoods and sites and adjust first with Cusco altitude tips.