We continue touring the various constructions found in Machu Picchu, this time we visit the Temple of the Sun considered as a sacred precinct that was used to pay homage and give offering to the Sun God (most important deity in the Inca empire). It is located in the Hanan sector, classified as the religious sector.
Therefore, today it is our turn to give more details about this Inca construction; where it is located, what the Temple of the Sun meant to the Incas and a little bit of the history, which we will develop below:
Table of Contents
It is located in the most important areas of the Inca citadel, in the Hanan sector or upper part of the religious sector, currently functions as a viewpoint. It is built on the edge with a semicircular shape in which highlights two windows, one of them is directed to the east and the other faces north, this was done in order to facilitate observation and solar measurement.
It is not known for sure what was done inside, but according to the fragments found, it could be understood that offerings to the Sun God were served there, since for the Inca Empire the Sun was one of its main deities.
As at that time who ruled was Pachacuteq and he who ordered to build the sacred temple in worship of his Sun God - Temple of the Sun; there were paid tributes and offerings to the Inca deity, likewise, only priests and the Inca were allowed to enter and to study and see the solar observatory..
This could determine the winter solstice according to the sun, in the same way they could see the season changes, it was practically one of the most important places, likewise research highlights that it was built in the upper part of the mountain so that the sun enters more easily.
It was a sacred place to dedicate homage and offerings to the main deity (Sun God) and only priests and the Inca were allowed to enter.
Finally, you can not enter the interior of the Temple of the Sun, you can only see it from the top and accompanied by a tour guide. Also in the lower part or below the Temple you can witness a tunnel, according to studies indicate that this was a place to store gold and silver offerings, it is also believed that there was the mummified body of Pachacuteq, however we will not know what it really was, as it was looted at a certain time.
