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Ollantaytambo is an archaeological site located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, nestled within the Andes Mountains of Peru.
Situated approximately 60 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco, Ollantaytambo is perched at an elevation of around 9,160 feet above sea level.
Strategically situated at the intersection of major Inca roads, Ollantaytambo served as a vital hub for transportation and trade.
Its location controlled Sacred Valley access and facilitated communication to Cusco and beyond.
The archaeological site itself covers a vast area, spanning approximately 600 hectares. It is renowned for its terraces, temples, massive stone walls, and guard towers.
Furthermore, the modern-day Ollantaytambo is still inhabited with a population of approximately 3,000 people.
Read also: Shani Shingnapur, the Unique Village Without Doors and Locks
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Ancient Houses and Streets in Town
The town is located adjacent to the archaeological site. It serves as a vibrant community where local residents live, work, and carry out daily activities.
Additionally, residents often construct these houses using adobe bricks, mud mortar, and thatched roofs.
The single-story structures feature rectangular or trapezoidal floor plans and walls made of adobe or stone.
Moreover, wooden beams may be used to support the roofs, which are commonly thatched with straw or grasses.
The main settlement boasts an orderly orthogonal layout characterized by four longitudinal streets intersected by seven parallel streets.
These streets, constructed with precision-cut stone blocks, form a grid pattern that organizes the urban space into distinct blocks and sectors.
Each street serves as a conduit for movement and commerce, connecting residential areas with public spaces and ceremonial sites.
Structures of Impressive Stone Blocks
The architectural features in Ollantaytambo are meticulously constructed using stone blocks.
Moreover, the precision-cut stone blocks used in various structures throughout the site showcase Inca engineering prowess. Massive stone blocks, quarried meticulously, showcase Inca engineering prowess.
Furthermore, the Temple Hill is one of the most remarkable features. A complex of religious structures is perched atop a steep terraced slope. These structures served as a ceremonial center dedicated to the worship of the gods.
Near the main plaza of Ollantaytambo lies the Royal Sector, a series of residential and administrative structures reserved for the elite members of Inca society. Additionally, it serves as a testament to the hierarchical structure and social organization of the Inca civilization.
The architecture here showcases the same precision-cut stone blocks seen throughout the site. Residential compounds feature courtyards, water channels, and finely crafted doorways.
Moreover, the defensive walls of Ollantaytambo are imposing structures crafted with massive stone blocks, serving as formidable barriers to potential invaders.
These walls feature irregular shapes and protrusions known as “salient angles,” which enhance stability and provide strategic vantage points for defenders.
Rising to heights of up to 20 feet, they extend over lengths of several hundred meters. They encircle the site and create a protective perimeter around the ancient city.
Agricultural Terraces in Ollantaytambo
The terraces in Ollantaytambo are structured with stacked stone walls forming stepped platforms. They showcase either rectangular or trapezoidal shapes to maximize agricultural space and prevent soil erosion.
Heights vary, some reaching around 49 feet, following the natural contours of the mountainside.
The stone blocks used in constructing these terraces can weigh several tons each. This emphasizes the immense effort required to quarry, transport, and assemble them.
Connection to Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo is also intrinsically linked to another iconic Inca site, Machu Picchu.
Scholars believe that Ollantaytambo may have served as a staging area for religious pilgrimages to Machu Picchu. The trail connecting the two sites is still traversed by modern-day adventurers.
Additionally, some speculate that Ollantaytambo played a role in the Incas’ retreat from Spanish conquistadors, serving as a temporary refuge for Inca forces.
Read also: Huanglong, Natural Landscape with Rows of Mountains & Terraced Lakes
History Timeline of Ollantaytambo
Initially established as a strategic outpost during the height of the Inca Empire in the 15th century, Ollantaytambo served as a vital administrative and religious center.
Its commanding position in the Sacred Valley allowed it to control trade routes and defend against potential invaders.
In 1536, during the Inca resistance against Spanish conquest, Ollantaytambo witnessed a significant battle, where the Inca forces temporarily halted the advance of the Spanish conquistadors.
Despite Spanish conquest, Ollantaytambo retained significance, repurposed by settlers.