Ollantaytambo - Ruins and Fortress

Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo is the huge Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on the terraced walls.

Ollantaytambo was both a fortress and temple. The temple area is immediately above the terracing. It was still being built at the time the Spanish conquered the area, and remains unfinished. The stones for Ollantaytambo were taken from a nearby quarry on the mountainside on the opposite bank of the river. It is possible to visit the quarry on a 6 km hike from Ollantaytambo, beginning at the Inca Bridge in the village.