The Qhapaq Ñan

THE ROAD NETWORK OF THE TAHUANTINSUYO EXTENDED THROUGH THE TERRITORIES OF ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA, CHILE, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR AND PERU. ON ONE OF THE STEEPEST TERRITORIES OF THE WORLD, THE INCAS CONSTRUCTED ROADS, SHELTERS AND SUSPENSION BRIDGES THAT FACILITATED THE COMMERCE AND THE ADMINISTRATION WITHIN THEIR EMPIRE.

Data:
- The Incan network reached an extension of close to 23,000

  kilometers long.
- Peru, together with Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and

  Ecuador, have proposed to declare the QhapaqÑan a Cultural

  Heritage of Mankind.

THE ROAD NETWORK OF THE TAHUANTINSUYO
The road network of the Incas crossed the entire area of the Andean mountain chain lengthwise, from the north of Argentina all the way up to the south of Colombia. They crossed deserts, agricultural zones, mountain chains and marshes. They all started from Cusco, the capital of the empire. The most important route of the Qhapaq Ñan was the one that linked Cusco with Quito. Some sections of these roads measured up to 16 meters wide.
According to historian Maria Rostworowski, the Qhapaq Ñan constituted the base of the Incas´ political expansion because it allowed the fast mobilization of armies and Empire officials. Additionally, it facilitated the transport of valuable resources like metals, spondyllus shells, wood, coca leaves, feathers and textiles.

THE SHELTERS
These buildings, which functioned as housing and deposits, were arranged throughout the roads to allow the walkers to rest and protect their belongings. Generally, the shelters were of rectangular form and they were divided into several independent spaces. There were shelters of different sizes. The big ones had residential and ceremonial environments, plazas and deposits, and were used to lodge the Inca and his entourage. Those of minor size served as inns for the "chasquis" of the Tahuantinsuyo (official running messengers). Photos: (1) Tambo Colorado (Inn), (2) Tambomachay (Inn), both in Cusco, they are good examples of Incan road engineering.

CROSS ROADS
Along the Peruvian coast, there was a parallel route to the Qhapaq Ñan that communicated the different valleys of the region. In Lima, for example, the Incas constructed roads in both margins of the Chillon River and others going to Pachacamac sanctuary and the Valley of CaÑete River. These routes were crossed, as well, by others that reached the high mountains to continue down towards the Amazon jungle. The roads going along the mountain used to cross muddy and steep zones. In order to climb up the mountain slopes, they constructed stairs with steps made of stone slabs or carved on rocks, like the ones constructed in Piscobamba, near the town of Ancash, and also in Pariacaca, sacred center located in Huarochiri, in the mountain chain of Lima. One of the most important Incan Andean cross roads precisely was the one that used to link Pariacaca with the coastal sanctuary of Pachacamac.

THE BRIDGES
The implementation of the Incas road system inevitably required the construction of bridges to be able to cross the rivers. There were different types of bridges. Some had stone structures and others of wood. Those of stone were less spectacular, since no one surpassed two meters of length. In addition, there were suspension bridges that were constructed with vegetable fibers. Those were especially surprising, because they crossed steep and boxed mountain sides to link great distances. The suspension bridge that the Incas constructed over the Apurimac River, for example, measured 45 meters long.

BEFORE THE INCAS
The Incas were not the only ones who constructed roads to unite their territories. Many of the routes that they used and integrated to their road system were constructed by people of the cultures that preceded them. Nevertheless, historian Maria Rostworowski mentions that they were exclusively local roads. Generally, they united the main "huacas" or sacred centers with small towns. Some archeological complexes of the Huari culture, like Piquillacta, included important road systems. Other evidence of pre Incan roads is in the valley of the Moche, in the Northern coast of Peru. In 1979, the American anthropologist Coleen Beck found in that zone, 150 pre Incan road sections pertaining to the Chavin culture.

THE ROUTE TO MACHU PICCHU
The best well-known section of the Incan road system is the touristic one that leads to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The route starts off, generally, at the village Qoriwayrachina, located at kilometer 88 of the railroad that goes from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The route covers a distance of approximately XX kilometers to follow it takes four days and three nights. The second day of this long walk is the most intense, because you have to cross WarmihuaÑusca, a mountain pass located at 4,200 meters above sea level. This is the highest part and the one that demands the greatest physical energy. In addition, there are other routes, where it is possible to shorten distances and to arrive at the famous citadel in two or three days.
The natural scenery is impressive: tropical forests, abysses, snow-covered mountains like the Salkantay or the Humantay of more than six thousand meters high, extensive stairs carved on rocks, tunnels of up to twenty meters in length and several archaeological complexes, among them, Runkuraqay, Sayakmarka, Intipata and WiÑay Wayna stand out.

Useful information:
To admire with greater thoroughness the natural surroundings of the route to Machu Picchu, there is a service of carry men, who can be hired to carry along the route your luggage and supplies. In the route, it is prohibited to ignite bonfires, to sleep in the ruins or to use kitchens that do not use gas. The authorized camping sites along the route are: Patallacta, Huayllabamba, Llulluchapampa, Pacamayo, Phuyupatamarka and WiÑay Wayna. Any month, except between December and March when rains are heavy, is good and adequate to make the routes of the Incan road network.

QHAPAQ ÑAN PROJECT
Since the year 2001, the National Institute of Culture has been developing the project Qhapaq Ñan, which includes the rise and systematization of the characteristics and state of the roads, the archaeological sites and landscapes associated to the road network. The project's objective, in addition to the conservation and putting in value of the road system, is the revaluation of the Qhapaq Ñan as a uniting and development instrument for the people of towns and cultures related to this road network.

Cusco City

THE OLD CAPITAL OF THE TAHUANTINSUYO IS A HISTORICAL MONUMENT THAT LODGES IMPRESSIVE ARCHITECTURAL VESTIGES. SAMPLES OF THE INCAN AND SPANISH PAST INFLUENCE CONVERGE IN IT AS A WHOLE, SUCH AS THE SACSAYHUAMaN FORTRESS AND THE CATHEDRAL. CUSCO HAS BECOME AN IMPRESSIVE REPRESENTATIVE OF PERU BEFORE THE WORLD.

Data:
The historical center of the city of Cusco was nominated Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO In the year 1983.

HISTORY
The Incas settled down in Cusco in the 12th century, after facing several landlords and caciques (Indian chiefs) that dominated this territory, such as the sauasirais, antasayas, huallas, lares and poques. The time of greater splendor of the city, takes place at the same time of the apogee of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, which started with the mandate of the Inca Pachacutec (right). When the Spaniards arrived at Cusco, in 1533, they found a large city with monumental palaces and ceremonial centers. On March 23rd,1534, it was officially declared territory of the Spanish crown. Nevertheless, it was not until 1572, after the defeat of Tupac Amaru I, the last member of the Incan dynasty, that the Spaniards definitively assured the control of the city.

SACSAYHUAMaN
The little that is left of this fortress complex, located at two kilometers from the Main Square of the city, is enough to have an idea of the impressive construction work that it must have had during that period. It was constructed with enormous stones that were fit together with amazing precision. Some of these stone blocks measure up to six meters high by three meters wide. Currently, there are three walls left, up to nine meters high with three fortified towers, a main precinct called Tiapunku and two big protected areas that, apparently, were used as deposits.

About its function, there are two hypotheses. The first one assures that it was a military building, a sort of fortress. The second one sustains that Sacsayhuaman was a ceremonial space that served to commemorate the Inca's victories. This supposition is sustained in chronicles like those of Garcilaso de la Vega, who wrote that the Incas constructed Sacsayhuaman "to show their Power and Majesty". Currently, the space of Sacsayhuaman, with its great esplanades, is a place for amusement and relaxation for the "cusqueÑos" (people from Cusco), a tourist attraction, and also the backdrop for festivities such as, Inti Raymi.

THE CATHEDRAL
One of the most representative samples of colonial architecture of Cusco city is its cathedral, located at one side of the Main Square. Its construction is of Renaissance style, with a main temple and two auxiliary chapels. It has sober columns and a majestic altar worked in granite. It is decorated with works of embossed silver and has a valuable collection of paintings from the Cusco Painting School.

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