EL CONDOR PASA

The Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooks the city of Cusco, Peru at an altitude of over of eleven thousand feet (3,400 m) above sea level.

The area consists of massive stone walls; each stone fitted together with absolute perfection. 

When the Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, arrived in Cusco in 1534, they were met with little resistance.

Cusco was retaken two years later when the rebel Manco Inca Yupanqui and his forces took the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and used it as a base to attack the Spanish. However, after weeks under siege the Spanish broke through the Inca defenses, scaled the walls and overwhelmed and slaughtered the natives.

The precision of the construction combined with inward leaning walls is thought to have helped the ruins survive devastating earthquakes.

Unfortunately, only foundations of the fort remain today.  The three towers and most of the walls were demolished block by block by the Spanish for building materials for their new city.  Today only the stones that were too large to be easily moved remain at the site.

DH and I visited this ancient stronghold with a group on a tour through southern Peru.

While we were there a gentleman arrived bearing a huge Andean condor.

He set the large bird on a stone wall and was quickly surrounded

 by camera clicking tourists.  (Myself included.)

Everyone scattered when the condor spread its colossal wings and took to the air.

After circling the area he settled down, was gathered up and carried off.

Away, I'd rather sail away

Like a swan that's here and gone.

A man gets tied up to the ground

He gives the world its saddest sound

It’s saddest sound.