Monument to Pachacutec
The monument to the Inca Pachacutec is one of the most famous architectural works in the city of Cusco. It is located on the oval of El Sol Avenue, one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city. It is made up of a conical structure, on the top of which stands a huge statue of the Inca Pachacutec, the emperor who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu. Its interior is a museum with educational exhibitions about the Incas. The visit to this place is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Everything about the Monument to Pachacutec
What is it?
The monument to Pachacutec is a modern construction that pays homage to the first emperor of Tahuantinsuyo, considered the most important ruler of ancient Peru. It is made up of a tall and conical stone structure (similar to Inca buildings) inside which there is a museum about the Incas. At the top of this construction stands a bronze statue of the Emperor Pachacutec. In total, the entire monument reaches more than 30 meters in height.
Location
The monument is located on El Sol avenue in the city of Cusco, in the Pachacutec oval (intersection of El Sol avenues with Army).
How to get?
From the Main Square of Cusco you can reach the monument of the Inca Pachacutec on foot (approximately 30 minutes). You can also take a taxi from anywhere in the city.
The Inca Pachacutec is perhaps the most famous Inca ruler in history. He managed to defeat the Chancas, the most assiduous enemies of the Incas. He also consolidated the empire (Also called Tahuantinsuyo). Likewise, he reorganized the Inca system before the sudden growth of its limits. He built thousands of kilometers of roads, improved the temples and palaces and ordered the construction of one of the most beautiful works on the planet: Machu Picchu.
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The Inca Pachacutec
Pachacutec was the great statesman of the Inca empire. He ordered the construction of dozens of citadels, temples, roads and many other buildings throughout Tahuantinsuyo such as Ollantaytambo, the Temple of the Sun of Vilcashuaman, Raqchi as well as the improvement of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, the Coricancha (ancient Inticancha) and Machu Picchu. For all this he is known as the Inca builder.
Pachacutec ruled from 1438 to 1471, the date of his death. He commanded the Inca armies during the war against the Chancas. He succeeded his father Huiracocha, imposing himself on his brother Inca Urco. In addition to the construction of great citadels and temples, he reorganized the empire of the Incas. He divided the empire into four regions ‘4 his’. He established the ‘mitimaes’ colonization system as well as the road network of Inca roads known as the ‘qhapac ñan’.
During the Pachacutec government, the Inca empire lived its golden age. He passed away naturally, leaving his son Túpac Inca Yupanqui as his successor. After his death, his body was mummified and honored in the Square Aucaypata, the current main square of Cusco. His body was buried in the temple of Tococache (current temple of San Blas), although other chroniclers believe that it remains in Machu Picchu.
Characteristics of the monument
The monument of the Inca Pachacutec is made up of two structures: a cylindrical base made of stone (from different communities of Cusco such as Maras, Kachiqhata, Iscuchaca, Yucay and more), which is made up of nine levels that reach 22.40 inside. meters of altitude. The second structure is the bronze statue of the Inca emperor, which reaches a height of 11.50 meters. From the top you can appreciate a splendid landscape of the city of Cusco.
The museum
Inside the monument to the Inca Pachacutec there is a museum where museum objects are exposed that reveal the culture and history of the Incas and the city of Cusco. It is divided into 9 levels, where panels, infographics, photographs and maps stand out. At the last level, you reach the top of the monument, from which you can see the city of Cusco. It is one of the most photographed places by tourists.
How much is admission?
The entrance ticket to the monument has a cost of 2 Peruvian soles (0.6 US dollars, approximately). Another option is to acquire the Tourist Ticket of Cusco Circuit 2 which has a cost of 70 Peruvian soles (22 US dollars, approximately). This special ticket also includes entry to Tipón, Piquillacta, Qosqo Center of Native Art, Coricancha Site Museum, Museum of Popular Art, Regional Historical Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art.
Hours of Operation
The entrance to the museum and monument to the Inca Pachacutec is open to tourists from Monday to Sunday from 9 in the morning until 7 at night.
Photo gallery
Some data
The monument to the Inca Pachacutec was built in 1992, although its remodeling was carried out in 2011. The work was in charge of the Cusco sculptor Fausto Espinoza.
The structure that supports the statue of the Inca Pachacutec resembles the Inca buildings made of stone. Although the entrance to the museum has a cost, taking a picture with the monument in the background is free.
The city of Cusco, in addition to the monument to the Inca Pachacutec, has other similar structures such as the famous Cristo Blanco, a statue representing Jesus Christ, which reaches 8 meters in height. The visit to this structure is free for all tourists.
Tips
You can get to the monument to the Inca Pachacutec walking from the Historic Center of Cusco. However, you can also take a taxi, or better yet, public transport. For example you can take the ‘Correcaminos’ line, which will take you in just 10 minutes. The cost of the bus ticket is only 1 Peruvian sol (0.3 US dollars).
During your visit to the city of Cusco you will feel some of the symptoms of ‘altitude sickness’ such as: nausea, fatigue or shortness of breath. These symptoms usually disappear after 1 or 2 days of adaptation to the mountainous geography. A good option to combat these discomforts is to drink plenty of water and avoid foods with a lot of fat.