Vilcashuaman: the great Inca complex of Ayacucho

Published: 28 April 2022 | Update: 11 November 2025 | Reads: 5258

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In less than one hundred years, the Inca civilization expanded its empire (the Tahuantinsuyo) across a vast territory, leaving administrative and ceremonial centers far beyond the limits of Cusco. An example of this expansion is Vilcashuaman, located in the Ayacucho region, this site was planned as one of the most important provincial centers of the empire, designed to strengthen Inca power in the newly conquered territories.

Built in the 15th century, Vilcashuamán is a citadel that stands out for its impressive structures. Below, we will tell you the history and facts about Vilcashuaman, which you should know before planning a visit to this important Inca legacy located outside the traditional tourist circuit.

Location

Vilcashuaman is located in the district of the same name, province of Cangallo, 80 kilometers south east of the city of Ayacucho, department of Ayacucho, in southern Peru, on the left bank of the Pampas River at 3,150 meters above sea level.

About the Vilcashuamán Archaeological Complex

Vilcashuaman, whose Quechua name translates as "sacred hawk", is one of the most important and best-preserved Inca administrative and ceremonial centers in the Ayacucho region. Its construction was ordered by the Inca Pachacutec, strategically over the old capital of the Chanca civilization, after his military victory. This city was designed to be a center of provincial power and, according to chroniclers, at its peak it came to house more than 40,000 inhabitants.

Currently, the modern town of Vilcashuaman, with approximately 16,000 inhabitants, sits on the same Inca layout. Most of its main attractions are located around its Main Plaza, which is estimated to have the capacity to hold 20,000 people.

Main Archaeological Attractions

The Temple of the Sun and the Church of San Juan Bautista
Located south of the plaza, this is the clearest example of architectural blending in the town. On top of the perfectly polished walls of the Inca Temple of the Sun, the Spanish built the colonial church of San Juan Bautista. The base of the temple, with its characteristic trapezoidal niches and Cusco imperial-style masonry, is preserved in excellent condition, allowing one to appreciate the coexistence of both architectures.
The Ushnu
Located west of the plaza, the Ushnu is the most important structure in the complex. It is a truncated ceremonial pyramid (without a point) of five stacked platforms, built with finely worked stone, which reaches about eight meters in height. At its top, there is a large double-carved stone throne, which is believed to have been used by the Inca to preside over the most important ceremonies of the Tahuantinsuyo.

Nearby Natural Attractions

In addition to its archaeological richness, the surroundings of Vilcashuaman offer important natural destinations that complement the visit:

Titankayocc (Forest of Puyas Raimondi): A short distance from the town, there is an extensive forest of Puya Raimondi (or Titanka), the largest flower cluster in the world. These giant plants, which can reach more than 14 meters in height, offer a unique landscape.
Atinqucha Lagoon: This nearby lagoon is a popular destination to complement the visit, offering a characteristic Andean landscape of the Ayacucho highlands.

Data

In addition to the Temple of the Sun and the Ushnu, in Vilcashuamán there is also the archaeological complex of Pumacocha, near the lake of the same name, which contains various structures from the Inca period, including an Intihuatana.
Among the main festivities of Vilcashuamán are its carnivals, the Fiesta del Sol, the Vilcas Raymi and the anniversary of the province.
The city is located 120 kilometers from Ayacucho. The trip by bus or private mobility can take between four or five hours.
Vilcashuamán and the surrounding places are more than 3,000 meters above sea level. As much of the journey to and within the city is done on foot, take your precautions.

How was the Vilcashuamán archaeological complex born?

The Ayacucho region has been the scene of the development of various Peruvian cultures. Before the Incas arrived, here were the Chancas, a culture that is characterized by having fought energetically against the Inca empire. But their fight came to an end in 1438, when the Incas, led by Pachacútec, defeated the Chancas, turning the region into a real butchery, and took over all of their territory.

Although Ayacucho does not have Inca traces as powerful as those you can see in Cusco, here is one of the most important administrative centers of the Tahuantinsuyo or Inca Empire: the archaeological complex of Vilcashuamán, a word that in Quechua means "sacred falcon".

According to the history of Peru, the Inca Pachacutec ordered the construction of this building after defeating the Chancas and thus demonstrating the power of his entire empire. Thus, Vilcashuaman served as a main point on the route of the Qapaq Ñan (Inca Trail) and also as a temple of worship to the sun and a place from which to spread the Quechua language throughout the Tahuantinsuyo.

Vilcashuaman became a true work of art of Inca architecture. It has the typical characteristics of the buildings erected by this culture: a trapezoidal plaza, temples dedicated to the sun and the moon, and a sacred throne. Its buildings are totally imposing to this day!

What to visit in Vilcashuamán?

Vilcashuaman surprises from the moment you arrive because of how the town has evolved. Far from being an archaeological center separated from civilization, as is the case with other Inca constructions, the buildings that Pachacutec ordered are now intermingled with the houses of the inhabitants of Vilcashuamán.

Thus, when you walk through this place you will find large and imposing buildings along with humble and small houses. This makes Vilcashuamán a perfect place to meet the people of the area, the living witnesses of how this place has changed and who can tell you the most enigmatic stories and legends of this place.

There are three main places that you have to visit when you visit the Vilcashuamán archaeological complex. As always, so that you do not arrive at this place from scratch and have an idea of what you are going to find, here we tell you more about these three Inca constructions.

Trapezoidal Square
Take a good look, when you visit an Inca construction it is very common to find trapezoidal squares, one of the main characteristics of its Inca architecture. The one in Vilcashuamán was built for different purposes.

On the one hand, being such a large space, it served to house around 20,000 people, so it was ideal for housing the large army that accompanied the Inca on his trips. In addition, according to the history books, human and animal sacrifices were also carried out here, on a rock that is still preserved and that you can see with your own eyes: the sacrificial stone.
Sun Temple
In the southern part of the Trapezoidal Plaza is what is surely the most important construction of the entire Vilcashuamán archaeological complex. It is the Temple of the Sun, a place dedicated to the powerful god of the Incas, the Inti. Next to it are other places of interest such as the Temple of the Moon.

With the conquest, Vilcashuamán also suffered the fury of the Spanish. As in the rest of the places in Latin America, the conquerors thought that here was a tremendous treasure and looted this place, with special effort in the Temple of the Sun. After causing serious damage to this sacred building of the Incas, on it they built the Church of San Juan Bautista, which still stands today.
Ushnu
As in many other Inca citadels, the highest ruler of this culture liked to have his throne from which he could control everything that happened and witness the ceremonies. In Vilcashuamán this place for the Inca is the Ushnu, a pyramid with five platforms on which was a chair carved in stone and with gold plates. As you can imagine, sobriety was not one of the main characteristics of the Inca rulers.

Behind the Ushnu there is a building that, according to Vilcashuamán experts, was the palace of Pachacutec, a construction that reflects the great quality of Inca architecture.

Vilcashuamán archaeological complex: Unshu

How to get to Vilcashuaman?

Vilcashuamán is located 107 kilometers south of the city of Ayacucho. Being one of the main tourist places in this region, it is easy to get to this archaeological complex on your own.

To do this, you will have to take a bus or a combi at the southern terminal of Ayacucho. It is a long trip, between three and four hours one way, so the buses to Vilcashuamán leave from five in the morning. Try to take the transport as early as possible so you can make the most of the day in Vilcashuamán.

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