Vilcas Huamán: great Inca archaeological complex in Ayacucho
Index
- About Vilcas Huamán
- Altitud de Vilcas Huamán
- Mejor temporada
- Horario de atención
- Costo de entrada
- ¿Cómo llegar?
- About Vilcas Huamán
- Altitud de Vilcas Huamán
- Mejor temporada
- Horario de atención
- Costo de entrada
- ¿Cómo llegar?
About Vilcas Huamán
Many of us believe that the Inca Empire only includes Cusco, but it is not so, the Incas built a vast empire through the years throughout the length and breadth of Peru, leaving us great architectural works, which we have the great pleasure to visit in these times, one of them is the Vilcas Huaman Archaeological Complex located in the region of Ayacucho.
The complex was built by the Inca Pachacutec as one of the administrative centers of the Inca Empire or also known as Tahuantinsuyo.
Legend has it that this archaeological complex was initially built in order to demonstrate the great power of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, because before this empire, there lived inhabitants of the Chanca culture, who were warriors well known for their strong tenacity to fight against the invasion of the Incas, but their struggle came to an end in the years 1438, falling resoundingly to the Inca Empire.
Vilcas Huaman comes from a Quechua word meaning “sacred falcon“. Vilcas Huaman is also an important point on the route of the Inca Trail or Qapaq Ñan route.
Its buildings continue to amaze many over the years!
According to history books, the Trapezoidal Plaza of Vilcas Huaman was built to house the soldiers of the Inca, as it is a large place with a capacity to accommodate a little more than 19,000 people, plus this square could also have been used for human and animal sacrifices. Very close to this square you can see a huge sculpture of the Inca Pachacutec, who was the ruler of those times and who ordered the construction of the complex.
On the south side of the Trapezoidal Plaza you will find the Temple of the Sun, this wonderful and impressive temple is undoubtedly the most important of the archaeological complex because there used to worship the most important god of the Inca Empire: the Inti (Sun God).
Above the Temple of the Sun we can appreciate the Colonial Church of San Juan Bautista, built by the Spanish conquerors to show their intentions to convert the inhabitants of the Inca Empire to Catholicism.
Nearby is also the Temple of the Moon, another incredible architectural enclosure.
What surprised us about the Vilcas Huaman Complex, in addition to its buildings, is that the people of Vilcas Huaman have built their homes around the complex, which makes this site even more special because the villagers themselves see this place as their home.
As in every empire, the highest authority used to observe his entourage from above, so they ordered to build buildings in the form of thrones and Vilcas Huaman was no exception because they built: “Ushnu“, an imposing and magnificent architectural work, worthy representative of what was once the Inca Empire, a jewel of the ancient world!
