Are you familiar with all, the most beautiful attractions in Peru? It is worth to know that Machu Picchu is not the only Inca building available to visit. There are many ruins and other interesting places in the country, but people do not know about them even there are so unique. One of such, less popular, attractions is in my opinion, Inca’s bridge Qeswachaka. This construction age is not so ancient, but it is not a key factor here. This building is famous because of something else!
Inca were great engineers. Each person getting to know their art, does not have any doubts in this area. Most often tourist visiting south part of Peru are going to pre Inca and Inca ruins, cities and tambos (some king of resting places). But not everyone knows about existence of this unique bridge which is also must to see. There is beautiful history connected with this place and each of you can become witness of it when going there in first part of June or end of May (depending on year).
Inca’s bridge Qeswachaka, the most beautiful attraction in Peru for original places seekers.
Qeswachaka bridge is lines construction connecting two sides of Apurimac river in south Andes, around 100 km from Cusco. Each year is being rebuilt/reconstructed with use of traditional Inca techniques and materials. Everything thanks to four communities: Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua and Ccollana. All of them cooperate in reconstruction process. The knowledge about construction is being passed on from generation to generation. For local communities this have deep, sacral dimension. It is not only about keeping the bridge in good condition, but also cultivating ancient tradition and cultural identity.
Materials used for the bridge are only the ones provided by nature. In this case main source is special kind of grass, which grows in nearby mountains. From it the binders are being created and later ropes, which will be connected in bigger parts to be able to keep big heavy weight over a long time.
New bridge construction takes only 3 days. In this process all women, men and children are involved. Placing new bridge in the place of old one is being reserved only for men. This is special moment for everyone, after which huge festival takes place with dancing, music and local food.
Qeswachaca bridge is located on the Andean Road System called Qhapag Nan, that in old times were covering whole Inca Empire. Due to difficult terrain in ancient times there were many bridges like this one. Nowadays only Qeswachaka bridge remains unchanged. Let’s hope that future generations will keep this tradition and will pass it on to next ones.
Crossing the bridge is not so easy …
Do you know that traditional Queswachaka rebuild process in on UNSECO list?
Bridge rebuild is one out of eight cultural events in Peru that are included on UNESCO World Heritage List.
Others events listed there:
- Oral heritage and cultural manifestations of the Zápara people (together with Ecuador)
- Taquile and its textile art
- Huaconada, ritual dance of Mito
- Scissors dance
- Festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria of Puno
- Knowledge, skills and rituals related to the annual renewal of the Q’eswachaka bridge
- Wititi dance of the Colca Valley
- Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i
Peru is a country of beautiful and unique attractions. Many of them are not so popular, so it is worth to get to know them before mass tourism will discover them. If you want to see bridge Qeswachaca reconstruction, you need to plan your trip end of May or beginning of June. If you do not know how to organize it, let us know. We can prepare package for you which will include this interesting place.
