Travel destinations Peru – History

Pikillaqta

Between the 6th and 9th centuries, Pikillaqta was one of the most important centers of the Wari (or Huari) culture. The remains show that the settlement was well planned in accordance with the classic Wari concept.

The buildings are constructed of rough stone and mud with mortar. Straight streets connect groups of buildings and everything is surrounded by walls up to 12 m high. In total there are 700 buildings, 200 squares and 508 storerooms. An underground canal system supplied the entire complex with water. The walls of the dwellings are largely covered with plaster and partially painted with well-defined anthropomorphic motifs. There is evidence of many buildings with two or three floors.

Pikillaqta apparently served various functions: administrative center, ceremonial center, intermediate storehouse for agricultural products, and dwelling. 10,000 people are said to have lived here.

All this gives the impression that the inhabitants were well developed in many respects.

Geographical location

30 km southeast of Cusco.

Altitude

3250 m.

Climate of the nearby town of Andahuaylillas:

Average temperature

January: 13,3 °C, February: 13,2 °C, March: 13,3 °C, April: 12,7 °C, May: 11,4 °C, June: 10,1 °C, July: 9,9 °C, August: 11,0 °C, September: 12,4 °C, October: 13,4 °C, November: 13,6 °C, December: 13,3 °C.

Average high and low temperature

January: 19,8 °C / 6,8 °C, February: 19,5 °C / 6,9 °C, March: 19,9 °C / 6,8 °C, April: 20,2 °C / 5,2 °C, May: 19,9 °C / 2,9 °C, June: 19,6 °C / 0,6 °C, July: 19,3 °C / 0,5 °C, August: 20,5 °C / 1,5 °C, September: 20,5 °C / 4,3 °C, October: 21,4 °C / 5,5 °C, November: 21,2 °C / 6,0 °C, December: 20,0 °C / 6,6 °C.

Average rainfall

January: 119 mm, February: 115 mm, March: 96 mm, April: 36 mm, May: 8 mm, June: 4 mm, July: 5 mm, August: 7 mm, September: 22 mm, October: 36 mm, November: 55 mm, December: 92 mm.

Source of statistical data: es.climate-data.org.

Photo: ANDINA. 

Travel programs:

		PTW-CUS009 Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas Half a day In the valley south of Cusco there is a multitude of sites, villages and landscapes, old farms and noble mansions.