The Sacred Plaza

This is the Principal Temple with a sacred stone in the foreground and the Intihuatana temple in the background. Note the size of the stones used in the foundation and the out-of-reach height of the niches in the wall.

The view below is the Temple of the Three Windows. Notice the odd angles and close fitting of the stones in the wall. The three windows are unusually large and look down upon the central plaza. The gabled shape of the wall on the left would indicate that this structure was once roofed. I'm not sure about the function of the vertical stone in the center, but we did have some discussion as to the angular shaped stone on the left of it. It is shaped like this:

The common explanation is that it in some way is representative of the mountains. However, in any of the other places we saw where carved stone reproduces the landscape it was in a much clearer and more literal way. Mauro's explanation (it's GOOD to have a well educated guide!): This is half of an Inca Cross - While I don't remember the details of what each 'step' in the shape represents, but when the sun comes through the window on a specific dates (I don't know... maybe the SOLSTICE?) the shadow that is cast from the rock completes the shape:

(Since everyone who sees this picture asks: No, the dog is not dead, just taking a nap. We saw him throughout the day wandering the ruins and apparently peacefully co-existing with the llamas. )

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The Intihuatana

Up some steps overlooking the Sacred Plaza on top of a mound that is sometimes referred to as the Intihuatana pyramid (though it is a natural formation) there is another plaza. You can tell from the quality of stonework in the stairs and in the surrounding structures that this must have been a place of high significance. Similar in shape and placement to the stone we had seen outside Pizac, this example is much larger and more prominately displayed.

..>>> In September 2000 there was a great deal of controversy stirred up when a local beer company (and a U.S. ad agency) were allowed to film a commercial from this site. Sure enough, a crane from the film crew fell and damaged the Intihuatana causing an even bigger uproar.  

From this angle you can see the chipped rock on the very top of the stone. The upside is that this is unlikely to be allowed again. 

The Quarry

Adjacent to the Sacred Plaza (on the opposite side from the Intihuatana pyramid) is the Rock Quarry. There is a lot of loose granite about and this certainly must have been convenient for the Inca stone masons, although there are too many other elements about the geography here for the availability of building materials to have been anything but an incidental factor about the location.