In 50 kilometers from Cuenca, there is a beautiful archaeological site – Ingapirca. It is considered one of the most significant monuments of the ancient Inca civilization. There, important unique artifacts were found proving the complicated and interesting culture of the ancient people.

Ingapirca is one of the most ancient cities. In the beginning, the Cañari indigenous people lived here. By the way, their ancestors still occupy this territory. But in the 15th century, the Incas came here. According to one legend, they conquered the settlement. Another legend says that they started marrying local girls, gradually enrooting in the location and changing it according to their taste. This way, in the relatively short term, the Incas turned this small village into a massive settlement with solid military fortification and the beautiful Temple of the Sun. Later, they built here a religious center with a luxurious ceremonial castle.

Ingapirca’s site wasn’t chosen by accident. Firstly, it was located at a height that was more than 3 000 meters above sea level, providing excellent visibility of the territory. Secondly, there had been houses and roads already, which reduced the construction expenses. The Incas needed strategic outposts to patrol their enormous empire. And because the number of citizens in such towns grew rapidly, those forts turned into huge cities in just a few years.

In the 16th century, the Spanish came here, and they not only expulsed the Incas from the city but almost completely destroyed it. And in 100 or 150 years, there was nothing left from the majestic settlement.

It was discovered in the 20th century by accident. The owner of the farm, located near to the Temple of the Sun, noticed the famous masonwork of the Incas: the stones were laid without mortar and stuck together only because of the correctly chosen shape. The archaeologists got interested in the site and discovered this ancient city, which became one of Ecuador’s main historical monuments.