Tambomachay is an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire, located
near Cusco, Peru.
An alternate Spanish name is El Baño del Inca ("the bath of the Inca").
It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through
the terraced rocks.
It is situated near springs such as the one called Timpuc Puquiu, a boiling
spring on the northern bank of the Timpuc River and the spring near Huaylla
Cocha community.
These natural springs were channeled through three waterfalls that still flow
today.
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Tambomachay entrance
It is located in the Andes mountain range, just 7 kilometers (15
minutes) NE of Cusco. At an altitude of 3700 m above sea level.
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Tambomachay Plan
Plan Legend:
- Parking lot
- South water fountain (Paccha)
- Craft sellers
- North water fountain (Paccha)
- The four niches
- The two niches
- Bridge
- Ceremonial place
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South water fountain (Paccha)
The south water fountain (Plan No. 2) is halfway to the north water
fountain and the ceremonial site.
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Panorama of the north water fountain (Paccha)
The northern water fountain (Plan No. 4) is located at the northern end
of the archaeological site.
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The four niches (Plan No. 5), on the left side, are smaller and
located higher up.
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The two niches (Plan No. 6), on the right side, are larger and located
lower.
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Details of the northern water fountain
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Ceremonial site
On the other side of the river, after crossing the bridge (Plan No. 7),
is the ceremonial site (Plan No. 8).
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The function of the site is uncertain: it may have served as a
military outpost guarding the approaches to Cusco, as a spa resort for
the Incan political elite or imperial baths.
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It could have also served a religious function since sacred water
fountains were found almost in all of major Incan temples.
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There are sources that refer to Tambomachay as one of the nine
ceques built along the Road of Antisuyu, describing it as an
Incan house where sacrifices were also made.
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See also
Source
Location
