Puka Pukara is a military ruins site, located in mid-southern Peru, approximately 4 to 5 miles from Cusco on the road to Pisac and near the Antisuyo, Cusco Region. Puka Pukara also known as “Puca Pucara means in Quechua “red fortress.” This is actually a big fortress, made of large walls, terraces, and staircases an example of military architecture.
The fortress’s purpose was to defend Cusco in particular and the Inca Empire in general. The name is likely to be coming from the red color of rocks at dusk. The Fortress was also used as an administrative center, probably placed to give the military extra vision over important parts of the empire. The fortress is also located on high ground a birds-eye view of Cusco valley and Tambo Machay, creating a beautiful view. The exact date of construction is not confirmed.
However, Puka Pukara is one of the Incan ruins, and one theory describes, perhaps constructed during the reign of Pachacutec, who was the 9th ruler of the empire. Thus, this is very a critical strategic location of the ruins, as an overlooking point and one kilometer away from Tambomachay gives more reason to think that this was a military place.
The wall’s stones are irregularly shaped and stacked together in a kind of here-and-there style to make walls that are fully functional. As far as architecture the walls are not too beautiful, in contrast to a lot of other sites in the region. Probably the walls and buildings were built-in somewhat hurry, as Puka Pukara military headquarters required urgently.
During the construction, the variable-sized and shaped stones actually have been red in color due to all the iron in the limestone used in the walls. Other possible explanations: when the Inca would go to Tambomacay, part of the warriors would stay in to keep guard, and since the two places are not that far apart they would communicate through mirrors reflecting light, or they could also have used pieces of gold.
However, the real function of Puka Pukara’s was partially military-based. It was placed in such an important place, as major roads and watch-point to gray areas, also monitor the people causing a disturbance. In modern terms, you could say it is a checkpoint on the road, stopping people, investigating, suspicious traveling in/out into the empire. Besides, it may be served as military groups stop traveling nearby.
Moreover, they may believe it was a place of rest for hunters and weary travelers as well as Incan nobles, due to its entire luxurious baths, canals, plazas, fountains, and separate rooms. This is Peru’s most prominent archaeological site in the city of Cusco and the most noteworthy place to observe the Peruvian ruins.
So, visitors like to visit this area, due to its magnificent views of the surrounding jungle and ruins, and hues that are probably changing the color of the walls around sunset. The common thing of people living here is to set up tables selling small souvenirs to take pictures of groups in front of ruins just for the mere of a few sols. Therefore, overall, Puka Pukara is not the main travel attraction in the area, and that is the reason why very few people come to visit it.
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Source: Wikipedia
