History of Ollantaytambo - The Living Inca City

Ollantaytambo was a strategic military, agricultural and religious place to manage and control the Sacred Valley of the Incas, this follows from the constructions that were presumed agricultural reservoirs and for military use as walls and watchtowers (probably to protect against jungle ethnicities). There are 150 steps that separate the top from lower part and observe the perfect carved stones, obviously, dedicated to water worpship, with a great similarity to Tipon (South Valley of Cusco). This place is a ceremonial center and worship of water purification. The archaeological site include a series of over-imposed terraces, showing the impressive and large blocks of stone finely carved and located on the upper terrace (Temple of the Sun).

The Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo are vestiges of the people who was ordered the construction by Pachacutec, after submitting its inhabitants and conquer these lands, imposing works of agricultural infrastructure, composed by hundreds of platforms and channels to ensure the farmlands, checkpoints and watchfulness are in the hilltops, domestic and ceremonial buildings. Also they had a bridged to connect the village with Inca Trail, and raised urban satellites on the route to Machu Picchu.

The Manyaraqui Square with its sources, were believe a part of center to worship the water. Over the Pinkuylluna or Tunupa hill stands massive stone buildings of 2 or 3 floors, which is presumed for agricultural reservoirs (colcas) or viewpoints; also its appreciated a huge stone that resembles the Inca face watching Ollantaytambo.

The town of Ollantaytambo is called "Living Inca City" because its residents live according their traditions and customs inherit from their ancestors. From Ollantaytambo is possible to visit the Willoc town, where Quechua is spoken, and whose red and blacks clothes are similar to Huayruro, seed used as an amulet. Ollantaytambo is the only Inca town which is still occupied by local families. All design and structure of the town are inca original, because is obvious the fifteen blocks that make up the village.

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