Coricancha
‘The Temple of the sun’ now only ruins that are hosted inn a reconstruction of a modern church was once one of the most significant religious places in Cusco. The spanish destroyed the majority of this site for its grandeur. Its interior was once layered in precious metals including gold and silver. Along side the Sun temple within there is also the rainbow temple, fountains and solar garden and temple of venus and the stars.
Sacsayhuaman
4km from the center is the monumental structure of Sacsayhuaman. Thought to be one of the most sophisticated archaeological designs of its time. Encompassing living quarters, towers, shrines, storage rooms, roads and aqueducts within its confines. Some of the stone structures way up to 125 tonnes with expert masonry work.
Puka Pukara
Only 6km (15min by car) at an altitude of 3580 meters above sea level lies ‘The Red Fortress’ , an archaeological complex which holds ancient military ruins of the Incas. As a ‘Tambo’ it has a fortified appearance with high walls, inner plazas and compartments.
Tambomachay
Approx 7km outside of Cusco at 3,700 meters above sea level is Tambomachay.One of its most overt features is its location which is directly over a natural spring which allows a series of small aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls to be replenished constantly. Due to this it is suspected that this was the site of the Incan Bath house.
Qenqo Temple
15 minutes outside the city (by car) is the mysterious ruins of ‘Qenqo’ roughly translated into ‘ Labyrinth’. This gigantic monolith carving of a temple has been deciphered as an extremely holy place which served as a place for death rituals, judgment and sacrifice.