Sacsayhuamán
| Sacsayhuamán | |
Saksay Waman | |
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Status | Heritage site, ceremonial complex, military training facility |
| Location | Near Huichajanca, Wechua Nation, Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Construction started | 1531 AN |
| Completed | 1543 AN |
| Owner | Government of Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Landlord | Prince Manu, Count of Sacsayhuamán |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Dry stone masonry, proto-Wechua concrete |
| Floor count | 4+ underground levels (partially explored) |
Sacsayhuamán (Wechua: Saksay Waman, "Satiated Falcon"; Alexandrian: Forteresse du Faucon; Martino: Fortaleza del Halcón) is an ancient highland fortress and ceremonial complex located 285 kilometers southeast of Parap in the Wechua Nation, a Region of Nouvelle Alexandrie. Situated at an elevation of approximately 3,700 meters in the mountains overlooking the holy city of Huichajanca, the fortress commands the southeastern approaches to the Wechua heartland and guards the principal pilgrimage route to the most sacred site of the Faith of Inti.
Constructed between 1531 AN and 1543 AN by the warlord-priest Apu Kuntur Yupanqui during the chaotic interregnum following the collapse of Atteran rule, Sacsayhuamán represents the oldest surviving example of Wechua megalithic architecture and the earliest known use of proto-Wechua concrete. The fortress is distinguished by its massive zigzag walls, precision-fitted polygonal stonework, and an extensive underground complex of tunnels, chambers, and cisterns that extends at least four levels beneath the surface. Modern surveys estimate that only 60 to 70 percent of the subterranean network has been explored, with sealed passages and unmapped chambers continuing to generate scholarly interest and popular legend.
The fortress played a significant role in the War of Four Sapas (1596 AN-1607 AN), serving as the stronghold of Huáscar Inca and withstanding three major sieges. During the Wechua Sorrow (1668 AN-1673 AN), Sacsayhuamán sheltered thousands of refugees and served as a government redoubt when central authority collapsed. Following the Great Restoration, the fortress was restored under the Five-Year Plans of the Wechua Nation in 1695 AN.
The County of Sacsayhuamán was established as a noble title in 1693 AN and is currently held by Prince Manu, Count of Sacsayhuamán, fourth son of the late King Sinchi Roca I. The fortress receives approximately 850,000 visitors annually and serves as a site for military training, ceremonial observances, and ongoing archaeological research.
Etymology
The name Sacsayhuamán derives from the Wechua words saksay ("to be satisfied" or "to be satiated") and waman ("falcon" or "hawk"). The compound Saksay Waman thus translates as "Satiated Falcon" or "Place Where the Falcon is Satisfied." This interpretation is supported by the fortress's position high in the mountains, where falcons and Lacara condors nest in the surrounding cliffs.
An alternative folk etymology holds that the name references the shape of the fortress walls when viewed from above, which some observers have likened to a falcon with outstretched wings. Archaeological surveys using aerial photography have lent partial support to this interpretation, though scholars remain divided on whether the resemblance was intentional or coincidental.
In Alexandrian, the fortress is formally known as Forteresse du Faucon ("Fortress of the Falcon"), while the Martino designation is Fortaleza del Halcón. Both names are direct translations of the Wechua original. In common usage, the Wechua name Sacsayhuamán is employed across all three official languages of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
History
The fortress was constructed during the turbulent period following the collapse of the Atteran Empire, which had dominated the Wechua people for centuries before disintegrating sometime prior to 1500 AN. The power vacuum left by Atteran withdrawal plunged the central Keltian highlands into an extended period of instability characterized by nomadic raids from the Keltian Green, conflicts between rival Wechua warlords, banditry, and competition among claimants to traditional authority.
Apu Kuntur Yupanqui, whose name translates as "Lord Condor the Honored," emerged as a unifying figure among several highland ayllu communities in the early 16th century AN. A warlord who also held priestly authority within the Faith of Inti, Apu Kuntur Yupanqui claimed descent from the ancient Wechua priest-kings who had governed the Mount Lacara region before Atteran conquest. By 1525 AN, he had consolidated control over Huichajanca and its surrounding valleys, establishing himself as protector of the holy city and its pilgrimage routes.
Construction of Sacsayhuamán began in 1531 AN as a defensive measure against the constant threats facing the region. Apu Kuntur Yupanqui mobilized corvée labor through the traditional mit'a system, drawing workers from allied communities throughout the highlands. The project employed an estimated 20,000 laborers at its peak, with specialized stonemasons organized into hereditary guilds whose techniques were closely guarded.
The fortress was completed in 1543 AN after twelve years of continuous construction. The final structure incorporated both military fortifications and ceremonial spaces, reflecting Apu Kuntur Yupanqui's dual role as warlord and priest. The underground complex, with its network of tunnels, storage chambers, and water systems, was designed to allow the fortress to withstand prolonged sieges while maintaining its function as a religious center.
Apu Kuntur Yupanqui died in 1558 AN and was reportedly buried somewhere within the fortress complex. The location of his tomb has never been discovered, and its whereabouts remain one of the enduring mysteries of Wechua archaeology.
The Interregnum Period (1543-1596 AN)
Following its completion, Sacsayhuamán served as the principal stronghold protecting Huichajanca and the surrounding region. The fortress changed hands multiple times as various warlords competed for control of the holy city and its associated prestige. Despite these political upheavals, the fortress was maintained and its garrison kept supplied through the underground systems designed by its builders.
During this period, Sacsayhuamán became essential to the survival of the annual Inti Raymi pilgrimage. Pilgrims traveling to Huichajanca faced significant dangers from bandits and raiders operating in the highlands, and the fortress provided a protected waystation where travelers could rest and resupply under armed guard. The priesthood of the Faith of Inti maintained a permanent presence within the complex, conducting rituals in the underground ceremonial chambers regardless of which warlord nominally controlled the surface fortifications.
The interregnum also saw the first expansions of the underground network beyond its original design. Successive occupants added new tunnels, storage facilities, and concealed exits, transforming the subterranean complex into a labyrinthine system that extended far beyond the footprint of the surface structures.
The War of Four Sapas (1596-1607 AN)
The War of Four Sapas erupted in 1596 AN following the death of Sapa Wechua Inca Roca, whose four sons immediately began fighting for succession to the throne. This eleven-year civil war devastated the Wechua heartland and reached a bloody stalemate in its fifth year, as the evenly matched strengths of the four brothers saw each installed on the throne as Sapa, only to be overthrown by another within a year or two.
Sacsayhuamán became the stronghold of Huáscar Inca, the second eldest brother, who controlled Huichajanca and the southern highlands. Huáscar's possession of both the holy city and its guardian fortress lent religious legitimacy to his claim, as he could present himself as protector of the Faith of Inti's most sacred sites. The fortress withstood three major sieges during the war, in 1598 AN, 1601 AN, and 1605 AN.
The Siege of 1601
The most significant military engagement at Sacsayhuamán occurred in 1601 AN, when Ninan Cuyuchi, the eldest of the four brothers, besieged the fortress with an army of approximately 8,000 warriors. Ninan Cuyuchi had temporarily gained the upper hand in the civil war and sought to eliminate Huáscar by capturing both the fortress and the holy city it protected.
The siege lasted eight months. Ninan Cuyuchi's forces surrounded the fortress and attempted to starve the defenders into submission, but the underground supply tunnels proved decisive. Defenders used concealed passages to receive food, water, and reinforcements from allied communities, while also launching surprise raids against the besieging army. These sorties, emerging from hidden exits up to three kilometers from the main fortifications, inflicted steady casualties on Ninan Cuyuchi's forces and disrupted his supply lines.
By the eighth month, Ninan Cuyuchi had lost an estimated 3,000 men to combat, disease, and desertion. Facing the onset of the highland winter and unable to prevent supplies from reaching the fortress, he withdrew his army. The failed siege permanently damaged his military reputation and contributed to his death in battle four years later.
Resolution
The War of Four Sapas ended in 1607 AN when the last two surviving brothers, exhausted by eleven years of conflict, submitted their claims to arbitration by the clergy of the Faith of Inti. The High Priest of the Sun convened a council at Huichajanca that ultimately resulted in an election allowing the people to choose between the claimants, establishing an early precedent for democratic consensus in Wechua governance. This resolution laid the groundwork for the eventual foundation of the First Wechua Kingdom fifty years later.
Sacsayhuamán remained garrisoned following the war but saw no further major combat until the Wechua Sorrow nearly seven decades later.
First Wechua Kingdom (AN 1657-1668)
The foundation of the Wechua Nation in 1657 AN under Sapa Wechua Manco Cápac brought Sacsayhuamán under unified Wechua governance for the first time in its history. The new kingdom recognized the fortress as both a strategic asset and a cultural treasure, initiating the first systematic efforts to document and preserve the complex.
Archaeological surveys began in 1659 AN, producing the first comprehensive maps of the underground network. These early investigations revealed that the subterranean complex was far more extensive than surface observations suggested, with multiple levels extending deep into the mountain. The surveys also documented the sophisticated water management systems that allowed the fortress to sustain large populations during sieges.
Manco Cápac visited Sacsayhuamán on three occasions during his reign, conducting ceremonies at the underground shrines and reviewing the garrison. The fortress served as a waystation for royal pilgrimages to Huichajanca and hosted diplomatic functions intended to demonstrate the continuity between the new kingdom and ancient Wechua traditions.
The Wechua Sorrow (AN 1668-1673)
The collapse of the First Wechua Kingdom following the White Plague and the concurrent disintegration of neighboring Caputia in 1668 AN initiated a period of catastrophic instability known as the Wechua Sorrow. As central authority dissolved and violence engulfed the highlands, Sacsayhuamán became a refuge for thousands of civilians fleeing the chaos.
The fortress's underground chambers, designed centuries earlier to sustain a military garrison, were pressed into service as emergency shelters. Contemporary accounts describe families crowded into storage rooms and tunnels, subsisting on stockpiled grain while violence raged in the valleys below. The water systems maintained by the fortress allowed the refugee population to survive even as infrastructure throughout the region collapsed.
When Parap fell to factional fighting and mob violence, Sacsayhuamán emerged as one of the last redoubts of legitimate government authority. Loyalist forces regrouped within the fortress, maintaining a garrison that acknowledged the exiled Sapa Wechua Manco Cápac in Nivardom, Constancia. This garrison served as a nucleus for the eventual restoration, providing a base from which loyalist forces could launch operations to reclaim the surrounding territory.
During the Great Restoration of 1673 AN, troops advancing from Sacsayhuamán participated in the campaign to retake Parap and restore royal authority. The fortress's role in preserving both civilian lives and governmental continuity during the Wechua Sorrow cemented its status as a symbol of Wechua resilience.
Second Wechua Kingdom and Federation Era (AN 1673-present)
Following the Great Restoration, Sacsayhuamán was designated a priority site under the Five-Year Plans of the Wechua Nation. Restoration work addressed damage sustained during the Wechua Sorrow, stabilized deteriorating stonework, and improved visitor access while preserving the fortress's historical integrity.
Major archaeological excavations began in 1678 AN, building on the preliminary surveys conducted during the First Kingdom. These investigations revealed previously unknown chambers, documented construction techniques, and recovered artifacts that illuminated daily life in the fortress across centuries of occupation. The excavations also confirmed that the proto-Wechua concrete used in the underground complex shared the same basic formulation as modern Wechua concrete, demonstrating continuity in construction knowledge spanning more than two centuries.
The County of Sacsayhuamán was established as a noble title in 1693 AN, shortly after the renaming of Alduria-Wechua to Nouvelle Alexandrie. The title was granted to a cadet branch of the House of Inti-Carrillo, formalizing responsibility for the fortress's preservation and the administration of surrounding lands.
Exploration of the underground complex has continued throughout the modern era, with significant discoveries occurring at irregular intervals. In 1720 AN, excavators breached a previously sealed passage and discovered a fourth underground level containing ceremonial chambers decorated with gold leaf and carved stone reliefs depicting scenes from Wechua mythology. In 1745 AN, non-invasive sonar imaging revealed the existence of at least two additional levels beneath the known complex, along with an estimated 8 to 12 kilometers of unmapped tunnels.
As of 1752 AN, archaeological work continues under the joint supervision of the Department of Education, Sports, and Culture, the Royal University of Parap, and the University of Punta Santiago. Several passages remain sealed pending safety assessments, and the full extent of the underground network has yet to be determined.
Architecture and construction
Surface fortifications
The surface structures of Sacsayhuamán occupy a ridge overlooking the approaches to Huichajanca, commanding views of the surrounding valleys and mountain passes. The fortifications were designed to channel attackers into killing zones while providing defenders with multiple fallback positions.
The Zigzag Walls
The most distinctive feature of Sacsayhuamán is its system of three parallel walls constructed in a pronounced zigzag pattern. Known in Wechua as Sacsay Pirqa ("Falcon Walls"), these fortifications create a series of 22 salients and re-entrants that prevented attackers from approaching any section of wall without exposing their flanks to fire from adjacent sections.
Each wall rises between 6 and 8 meters in height, constructed from massive andesite blocks quarried from nearby mountainsides. The largest stones, concentrated at the base of the lowest wall, weigh in excess of 120 metric tons. These megaliths were transported to the site, shaped, and fitted without the use of mortar, relying instead on precision cutting and the sheer weight of the stones to maintain structural integrity.
The walls incorporate defensive features including raised platforms for archers, covered passages allowing defenders to move between positions without exposure, and drainage channels that prevented water accumulation from undermining the foundations.
The Main Gate
The principal entrance to the fortress, known as Hatun Punku ("Great Gate"), consists of a triple-arched structure oriented toward Huichajanca. The gate was designed for both defensive and ceremonial purposes, with the central arch reserved for processions while the flanking arches served military traffic.
The Hatun Punku could be sealed by massive stone doors, each weighing approximately 15 tons, which rolled along carved tracks to close the openings. Evidence of burning on the exterior surfaces of the gate suggests that attackers attempted to breach the entrance with fire during at least one of the sieges documented in the War of Four Sapas.
Tower of the Sun
The Inti Pirwa ("Tower of the Sun") rises 22 meters from the highest point of the fortress complex. This cylindrical tower served as both a watchtower and a ceremonial structure, with an open platform at its summit where priests conducted solar observations and rituals associated with the Faith of Inti.
The tower's construction incorporates a spiral staircase carved into the interior walls, allowing access to the observation platform without external scaffolding. A system of polished bronze mirrors, now lost, reportedly allowed signals to be transmitted from the tower to observation posts throughout the surrounding region.
Ceremonial Plaza
The Usnu Pampa ("Ceremonial Platform Plaza") occupies a level area within the fortress walls, providing space for religious observances and military reviews. A raised stone platform at the center of the plaza, the usnu proper, served as a throne or altar from which rulers and priests addressed assembled crowds.
The plaza could accommodate an estimated 5,000 people and was used for celebrations of Inti Raymi when pilgrimage conditions made travel to Huichajanca impractical. Archaeological excavations have recovered offerings buried beneath the plaza surface, including gold figurines, textiles, and ceramic vessels containing organic residues consistent with ritual beverages.
Megalithic stonework
The construction techniques employed at Sacsayhuamán represent the pinnacle of pre-modern Wechua masonry. The fortress walls are assembled from irregularly shaped polygonal blocks, each cut to fit precisely against its neighbors without the use of mortar. Some blocks feature 12 or more angles, all meeting adjacent stones with gaps of less than one millimeter.
Modern engineers remain uncertain how the builders achieved such precision with the tools available in the 16th century AN. Experimental archaeology has demonstrated that bronze and stone tools can produce the necessary finishes, but the coordination required to shape and fit stones weighing tens of tons continues to challenge replication efforts.
The stonework also incorporates subtle features that enhance structural stability. Many blocks are cut with slight inward tapers, causing the walls to become more stable as they rise. Interior surfaces of some blocks show evidence of heating, suggesting that thermal expansion may have been used to achieve final fits.
Proto-Wechua concrete
Sacsayhuamán contains the oldest known examples of proto-Wechua concrete, a specialized construction material that combines volcanic ash from the Mount Lacara region with limestone aggregate and organic binding agents derived from native Keltian flora.
Within the fortress, this early concrete appears in several applications: lining for water cisterns, structural reinforcement in underground chambers, and sealant for joints in the drainage system. Analysis conducted in 1748 AN by researchers from the Royal University of Parap confirmed that the ancient material shares the same basic formulation as modern Wechua concrete, demonstrating that the techniques developed by the builders of Sacsayhuamán were transmitted across generations and continue in use today.
The concrete exhibits the distinctive grey-green coloration characteristic of volcanic mineral content. Samples recovered from cistern linings show no significant degradation after more than two centuries of continuous water contact, confirming the material's exceptional durability and water resistance.
The underground complex
The subterranean portions of Sacsayhuamán constitute one of the most extensive underground complexes in Keltia. Designed to support prolonged sieges and provide secure ceremonial spaces, the tunnel network extends at least four confirmed levels beneath the surface fortifications, with evidence suggesting additional unexplored levels below.
Known levels
Level 1: Upper Galleries
The uppermost underground level, accessible through multiple entrances within the surface fortifications, contains military infrastructure including barracks, armories, and command chambers. These galleries could house an estimated 2,000 soldiers with their equipment, allowing the fortress garrison to shelter from bombardment or weather while remaining ready for deployment.
The armories preserve evidence of weapons storage including racks for spears and clubs, bins for sling stones, and secure chambers for more valuable items. Archaeological recovery has been limited, as the armories were emptied during the various conflicts that affected the fortress, but residual materials confirm their original function.
Level 2: Supply Chambers
The second level contains the logistical infrastructure that allowed Sacsayhuamán to withstand extended sieges. Granaries, designed with ventilation systems to prevent spoilage, could store sufficient food for 10,000 people for approximately six months. Separate chambers held preserved meats, dried fruits, textiles, and other supplies.
The water cisterns on this level represent exceptional engineering. Fed by underground aqueducts drawing from mountain springs, the cistern system maintains a total capacity of approximately 12 million liters. The cisterns are lined with proto-Wechua concrete and incorporate settling basins to remove sediment. Remarkably, portions of this system remain functional and continue to supply water to the modern heritage site.
Level 3: Escape Network
The third level consists primarily of tunnels radiating outward from the fortress to concealed exits in the surrounding terrain. These passages, designed to allow defenders to receive supplies, launch sorties, or evacuate in extremity, extend up to three kilometers from the main complex.
The tunnels vary in size from narrow crawlways suitable only for individuals to larger passages that could accommodate pack animals. Exits are concealed in natural rock formations, beneath seasonal streams, and within structures that appeared to be ordinary dwellings. Many of these exits were unknown to besieging forces, allowing defenders to maintain contact with the outside world even under close investment.
Level 4: Ceremonial Chambers
The lowest confirmed level contains spaces dedicated to religious observance. Discovered in 1720 AN when excavators breached a previously sealed passage, this level includes chambers decorated with gold leaf, carved stone reliefs depicting scenes from Wechua mythology, and altars bearing evidence of offerings.
The largest chamber on this level, approximately 30 meters in length and 8 meters in height, appears to have served as an underground temple. Acoustic analysis has revealed that the chamber's proportions create resonance effects that amplify certain frequencies, suggesting that chanting or musical performance formed part of the rituals conducted within.
Some scholars believe this level also contains the undiscovered tomb of Apu Kuntur Yupanqui, though no definitive evidence has been found. Passages leading deeper into the mountain remain sealed, and the Department of Education, Sports, and Culture has restricted further excavation pending comprehensive safety surveys.
Unexplored regions
Non-invasive surveys conducted between 1745 AN and 1750 AN using sonar, ground-penetrating radar, and seismic imaging have revealed the existence of substantial unexplored areas beneath the known complex.
Imaging data indicates at least two additional levels below Level 4, though the resolution is insufficient to determine their layout or function. An estimated 8 to 12 kilometers of unmapped tunnels extend beyond the currently accessible network, some apparently connecting to natural cave systems in the surrounding mountains.
Several passages on the known levels terminate in sealed doorways. These closures, constructed from fitted stone blocks in the same style as the surface fortifications, were deliberately installed at some point in the fortress's history. Local tradition holds that certain sealed passages should not be opened, claiming they contain "the old gods' anger." The archaeological establishment treats these traditions with respect while noting that the actual contents of the sealed areas remain unknown.
Current estimates suggest that only 60 to 70 percent of the total underground complex has been documented. Comprehensive exploration would require substantial resources and carries inherent risks, as some passages show evidence of instability. The Department of Education, Sports, and Culture has adopted a policy of incremental investigation, prioritizing non-invasive survey methods over excavation.
Rumors and legends
The unexplored portions of Sacsayhuamán have generated persistent legends that blend historical possibility with folk imagination.
The most enduring legend concerns the tomb of Apu Kuntur Yupanqui, the fortress's builder. Historical sources confirm that Apu Kuntur Yupanqui was buried somewhere within the complex following his death in 1558 AN, but the location was kept secret and has never been discovered. Popular tradition holds that the tomb lies in the deepest unexplored level, protected by mechanical traps and curses. While the existence of traps is unconfirmed, some sealed passages do show evidence of unusual construction that could indicate defensive measures.
A second persistent legend involves the so-called Treasury of the Four Sapas. According to this tradition, Huáscar Inca accumulated a vast treasury of gold, silver, and precious objects during his control of the fortress, hiding it in the tunnels when his position became precarious. The treasury was never recovered following the war's conclusion, and some believe it remains concealed in the unexplored portions of the complex. Archaeological evidence neither confirms nor refutes this legend.
The most implausible legend holds that a secret tunnel connects Sacsayhuamán directly to Huichajanca, 285 kilometers distant. Engineers and geologists dismiss this claim as physically impossible given the terrain, but the legend persists in popular culture. Some scholars speculate that the legend may preserve a distorted memory of a shorter tunnel or system of waypoints that once facilitated communication between the fortress and the holy city.
Strategic significance
Sacsayhuamán occupies a position of considerable strategic importance within the Wechua Nation. The fortress commands the southeastern approaches to Parap and guards the principal road connecting the capital to Huichajanca. Control of the site allows denial of access to one of the few practicable mountain passes linking the Rodinia river valleys.
During the interregnum and the War of Four Sapas, possession of Sacsayhuamán conferred both military advantage and political legitimacy, as the holder could present themselves as protector of the pilgrimage route and the holy city. This combination of strategic and symbolic value made the fortress a prize worth sustained conflict.
Modern military planners continue to recognize Sacsayhuamán's significance. The fortress appears in Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie contingency planning as a defensive position and potential command post. Its underground facilities, designed for prolonged occupation, could serve similar functions today with appropriate modernization.
County of Sacsayhuamán
The County of Sacsayhuamán is a noble title within the New Alexandrian peerage, carrying with it responsibility for the fortress's preservation and the administration of surrounding lands.
Establishment
The county was re-created in 1693 AN, shortly after the formal renaming of Alduria-Wechua to Nouvelle Alexandrie, reviving an ancient title that had existed during the classical Wechua period. King Manco Cápac I granted the restored title to a cadet branch of the House of Inti-Carrillo, designating its holders as Custodians of the fortress. The county encompasses the fortress itself, the surrounding highlands, and several villages whose inhabitants have historically provided labor and services to the site. The Count holds administrative authority over this territory, subject to federal law and the heritage protections applicable to the fortress.
Current holder
The title is currently held by Prince Manu, Count of Sacsayhuamán (born 1698 AN), fourth son of the late King Sinchi Roca I and Queen Abigail. Prince Manu received the county on 8.IX.1725 AN and has since dedicated himself to the preservation and scholarly study of the fortress and its heritage.
Prince Manu married Laura Flores on the same date in 1725 AN. The couple has three daughters: Paloma, Baroness Pelters (born 1726 AN), Lady Mariela (born 1728 AN), and Lady Cristina (born 1731 AN).
As Count, Prince Manu maintains a residence within a restored section of the fortress known as Qhapaq Wasi ("Noble House"). He divides his time between this residence and Parap, where he serves as a professor at the Royal University of Parap. In 1728 AN, he established the Sacsayhuamán Heritage Foundation to coordinate preservation and research at the fortress.
County responsibilities
The Count of Sacsayhuamán bears formal responsibility for heritage preservation at the site, working in partnership with the Department of Education, Sports, and Culture and academic institutions. The county administration coordinates maintenance, manages visitor services, and liaises with archaeological teams conducting research.
The county also maintains the pilgrimage infrastructure connecting Sacsayhuamán to Huichajanca, including roads, rest stations, and emergency shelters along the route. This responsibility reflects the fortress's historical role as protector of the pilgrimage and ensures that modern visitors can travel safely to the holy city.
Modern uses
Military
The Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie maintain a permanent presence at Sacsayhuamán, reflecting both the site's historical significance and its continued strategic relevance.
A ceremonial company of the Federal Gendarmerie, comprising approximately 120 personnel, garrisons the fortress. This unit provides security for the heritage site, participates in ceremonial functions, and maintains readiness for emergency deployment. Gendarmes assigned to Sacsayhuamán wear distinctive uniforms incorporating traditional Wechua elements, distinguishing them from regular Federal Forces personnel.
The Federal Army's Mountain Infantry School conducts annual training exercises in and around the fortress. The challenging terrain and historical fortifications provide realistic training environments for mountain warfare, while the underground complex offers experience in subterranean operations. These exercises are scheduled to minimize disruption to visitors and archaeological work.
Sacsayhuamán is designated as a national emergency shelter site, capable of housing approximately 50,000 civilians in the event of catastrophe. The underground facilities, originally designed to sustain populations during sieges, have been assessed for modern emergency use and found suitable with minor modifications. Emergency supplies are maintained on-site, and periodic drills test evacuation procedures for surrounding communities.
Ceremonial
The fortress serves as a site for ceremonial observances connected to the Faith of Inti and the New Alexandrian state.
The annual Inti Raymi pilgrimage to Huichajanca traditionally passes through Sacsayhuamán, with pilgrims pausing at the fortress for prayers and rest before continuing to the holy city. The ceremonial plaza hosts religious services during pilgrimage season, and the underground shrines receive offerings from the faithful.
King Sinchi Roca II has visited Sacsayhuamán eight times since his accession in 1735 AN, typically during the Inti Raymi season. Royal visits follow established protocol including inspection of the garrison, observance of religious ceremonies, and meetings with archaeological teams. The King's presence reinforces the connection between the monarchy and ancient Wechua traditions embodied by the fortress.
New Federal Forces officers originating from the Wechua Nation may choose to take their commissioning oaths at Sacsayhuamán rather than at standard military facilities. This tradition, formalized in 1705 AN, allows officers to connect their service to the fortress's history of defense and endurance.
Tourism and heritage
Sacsayhuamán received approximately 850,000 visitors in 1751 AN, making it one of the most-visited heritage sites in Nouvelle Alexandrie. Visitors come from throughout the federation and abroad, drawn by the fortress's historical significance, architectural achievements, and connection to living religious tradition.
The site is managed jointly by the Department of Education, Sports, and Culture, the county administration, and the Royal University of Parap. This partnership balances heritage preservation, visitor access, and ongoing research.
Guided tours of the surface fortifications and upper underground levels operate daily. Tours of deeper levels are available by advance arrangement and require appropriate physical fitness due to uneven terrain and limited lighting. The ceremonial chambers on Level 4 are accessible only to organized groups accompanied by qualified guides.
A visitor center and museum, opened in 1710 AN, provides context for the site through exhibits on Wechua history, construction techniques, and archaeological discoveries. The museum collection includes artifacts recovered from excavations, scale models of the fortress at various historical periods, and interactive displays explaining engineering principles employed by the builders.
Archaeological research
Sacsayhuamán hosts a permanent archaeological mission that has operated continuously since 1678 AN, making it one of the longest-running excavations in Keltia. The mission operates under joint academic supervision, with researchers from the Royal University of Parap, the University of Punta Santiago, and visiting scholars from institutions across Micras.
Current research priorities include non-invasive imaging of unexplored areas, analysis of construction materials and techniques, and documentation of artifacts in context. Recent work has focused on understanding the fortress's water management systems, which continue to function after centuries of use and may offer insights applicable to modern engineering challenges.
The archaeological mission maintains careful protocols regarding sealed passages and unexplored areas, prioritizing preservation over discovery. Any decision to breach sealed sections requires approval from multiple authorities and extensive advance planning to ensure that irreplaceable evidence is not destroyed in the process of investigation.
Cultural significance
Sacsayhuamán occupies a central place in Wechua historical consciousness. The fortress represents continuity with the pre-Atteran past, survival through centuries of domination and chaos, and the ingenuity of Wechua engineering. For many Wechua, the site embodies qualities of resilience and endurance that define their cultural identity.
The fortress appears on the NAX€50 banknote, introduced in 1705 AN, with the zigzag walls depicted on the reverse. This representation ensures that images of Sacsayhuamán circulate throughout Nouvelle Alexandrie, reinforcing its status as a national symbol.
Artists and writers have drawn inspiration from the fortress across multiple generations. Paintings of the zigzag walls appear in museums and government buildings throughout the Wechua Nation, while poets have invoked the fortress as a metaphor for steadfastness in adversity. The unexplored tunnels and persistent legends have also attracted writers of adventure fiction, who imagine treasures and secrets hidden in the depths.
For practitioners of the Faith of Inti, Sacsayhuamán holds religious significance as a waypoint on the pilgrimage to Huichajanca and as a site where worship has continued uninterrupted for over two centuries. The underground shrines, though less prominent than the temples of the holy city itself, maintain their sacred character and receive regular offerings from the faithful.
