Ollantaytambo General Information

Ollantaytambo lies on the western edge of the Sacred Valley near the Urubamba River. At an elevation of 9,160 feet (2,792 m) above sea level, it’s about 45 miles by road away from Cusco. Pachacutec rebuilt and expanded this city in the mid 1400’s. From the Quechua word Ulla-nta-wi, meaning a place to see down, the Spanish added the word Tambo to the end meaning a city that provides accommodation, food, or comfort for travelers.

An Alternative Theory

Another theory argues that the city is named after Ollanta, an Inca captain. He proudly fought under the orders of Pachacutec. However, after falling in love with his daughter they had an illegal marriage. The legality of the marriage was based on their social class status. He rebelled against Pachacutec who deemed him a traitor. He was captured by treacherous means but only after Pachacutec’s death. When brought forth to Pachacutec’s son, he blessed the marriage and allowed it to continue.

Ollantaytambo’s Purpose

Pachacutec built this city to serve him as a royal estate. Ollantaytambo was to mainly serve for religious purposes. Pachacutec wanted to expand control over the Sacred Valley outside of Cusco alone. Ollantaytambo location helped in protecting the Sacred Valley from attacks that originated from the north. Also, this city helped protect a path that led to the areas of the Amazon jungle. This was the path Manco Inca used to flee to the last known Inca holdout of Vilcabamba.

An Important Victory at Ollantaytambo

While Ollantaytambo was built for religious purposes, its layout was key in one of the few victories the Inca had over the Spanish in battle. After retreating from battle at Sacsayhuaman, Manco Inca fled to Ollantaytambo. Taking advantage of the fact that the city’s tucked into the mountains, he positioned his troops on Temple Hill. As Fransisco Pizarro’s half-brother Hernando led the Spanish into the city, Manco ordered his archers and troops to rain down arrows, spears, and rocks upon them.

Also, taking advantage of the canals bringing water from the mountains into the city, he flooded the plain below. This severely limited the mobility of the Spanish cavalry unit, thus balancing the tide in Manco Inca’s favor. He then ordered his soldiers to charge the Spanish troops and Hernando ordered a hasty retreat, quite an atypical response. The victory, however, was short-lived. Knowing the Spanish would return with reinforcements, Manco Inca ordered his troops to flee into the Amazon and ultimately to Vilcabamba.

Ollantaytambo’s Notable Features

Ollantaytambo holds some of the best preserved ruins of the Sacred Valley and of the Inca Empire in general. Here is a list of interesting features that will be pointed out in any tour. Or, for those exploring on your own, areas to keep an eye out for.

Temple Hill

Rising approximately 200 feet above the town Temple Hill dominates the view from town. Walking up to this it’s easy to see how the Incas could have been victorious over the Spanish here. Massive terraces, taller than a person, make up most of Temple Hill. If you have the energy, climb the large stairs up to the top for breathtaking views of the area around you.

Ollantaytambo’s Temple of the Sun

Worshipping the sun is a key feature in any city designed for religious purposes. The Temple of the Sun was never fully completed. The construction of the temple was also mostly destroyed by the Spanish after they captured the city. However, this area still contains the Wall of the Six Monoliths. This wall is made up of huge slabs of granite weighing upwards of 50-80 tons each! This area acted as a calendar and aligned with the summer and winter solstices.

The Enclosure of the Ten Niches

An area meant to honor the ancestors of Pachacutec can be found high up on the hill. Along the side of one of the terraces is an area with a row of ten indentations among the rock wall. This area also has a one room building whose purpose is believed to be tied into a ceremonial aspect.

Bath of the Ñusta

Water is a key feature in Ollantaytambo, and the Princess Baths are no exception. This granite fountain is fed by the Patakancha River. This fountain displays the fantastic skill the Inca had in carving stone. This particular fountain was believed to be used for ceremonial bathing of visiting Inca royalty.

Ollantaytambo’s Storehouses (Qollqa)

Built high up on the hill (Pinkuylluna Hill) opposite of Temple Hill, several stone structures can be seen clinging to the edge of the steep grade. The Inca chose this location due to its higher elevation and the presence of stronger winds. Both these factors help lower the temperature and preserve the food contained inside for a longer period of time.

Image of Virococha

The image of the Creator can be seen carrying a heavy sack over his head. The image lies adjacent to the storehouses and is said to have been carved by the Inca. There is no evidence that the carving actually took place and some believe the image was formed by erosion. However it formed, the image reminds me of the amazing porters we had carrying our gear up the Inca Trail!

Quarry Used For Constructing Ollantaytambo

Although not technically in Ollantaytambo, the quarry where the granite slabs used in the Wall of the Six Monoliths can be seen from atop Temple Hill. The quarry is located high up on the mountain on the opposite side of the valley across the river. Located nearly four miles away, it’s amazing the Inca were able to transport these huge slabs using only manpower!

Ollantaytambo’s Main City

Although the Inca ruins are the main draw to this area, the actual city should not be missed. Many of the buildings and structures built by the Inca still remain today. These buildings have been continually inhabited since the mid 1400’s being passed down among family members! The city is laid out in a grid pattern and contains narrow cobblestone streets. A walk through town will make you feel like you were transported back in time.

The highlight of the town is the main square spanning nearly four blocks. The main square has an opening on the east side and walls form a barrier along the other three sides. The Inca designed it where each block (Kancha) is made up of four one-roomed buildings with a shared central courtyard. These buildings would be shared by a family unit. Interestingly enough, the canals once used to bring water from the surrounding mountains are still operable today! Just pay attention to where you’re walking or you’ll end up with wet feet.

One More Interesting Fact

Through extended research it was determined that Ollantaytambo is aligned geographically with other sites around Peru. Sites such as Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, and Paratoari are all linked to Ollantaytambo. An extended look outside of Peru shows that other Inca sites like Puma Punku and Tiahuanaco are also aligned. Although these could be coincidences since they are all part of the Inca society. It’s less a coincidence when the statues of Easter Island (Chile) and the Pyramids of Giza (Egypt) are compared. These structures are separated by hundreds or thousands of miles and in the case of the pyramids, thousands of years! It begs the question, how did these civilizations form these structures to be aligned when there is no way for many to even know of the others existence?

Final Thoughts on Ollantaytambo

In closing I’d just like to say there is plenty to see in Ollantaytambo and it should not be bypassed. In addition to the rich history, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking and other outdoor activities. Also, at a lower elevation to Cusco, it’s an easier adjustment for travelers to climate to the area. Finally, this town although hectic when the buses bring the tourists taking on the Inca Trail, has a small town feel once everything settles down in the afternoon. This is perfect to chat with the locals about what it is like to live in this amazing Inca city!

For more info on the Inca and the Sacred Valley in general click the link below. Thanks for taking the time to visit my page and as always I wish you safe travels! trekandteach.com