The history of the Sacred Valley of the Incas applies to the entire stretch of the Valley that includes the Vilcanota river and the Urubamba river formed by the towns of Pisac, Coya, Lamay, Calca, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.
The Sacred Valley was inhabited by small Andean communities or settlements until before the conquest by the Incas that was given in the mandate of the Inca emperor Pachacutec in the years from 1438 to 1471, who after defeating the forces of the Chancas, began its expansion of territories throughout the area that comprised the empire of Tahuantinsuyo.
This is how the Incas considered this valley as a sacred place thanks to the magnificent characteristics such as the geographical area due to the mountains, rivers, and the fertility of the land for agricultural production thanks to the goodness of the rivers for irrigation and the waters coming from the main snow-capped mountains that border the entire valley.
WHAT PRODUCTS WERE CULTIVATED IN THE SACRED VALLEY?
- Corn was the main crop that was grown throughout the sacred valley, which was used for consumption in the preparation of food and in the preparation of the drink known as chicha, an important element based on corn. At present the production of corn is almost 90% of the production, highlighting the white corn of unique size in the world.
- Currently this corn is exported abroad for the quality of this product.
- The great variety of potatoes is the second most important crop in the Sacred Valley with 9% of its production, showing the great variety of qualities and flavors. Finally, 1% is dedicated to vegetable production.
- Within this, the production of strawberries also stands out.
PLACES THAT COMPRISE THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
- San Salvador
- Pisac
- Taray
- Coya
- Lamay
- Calca
- Urubamba
- Huayllabamba
- Yucay
- Urubamba
- Ollantaytambo
RIVERS TRIBUTARIES OF THE VILCANOTA AND URUBAMBA RIVERS IN THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
- Lares
- Salcca
- Yavero
- Camisea
- Lucumayo
- Inuya
- Vilcabamba
- Koshireni
- Pitumarca
- Huaracondo
- Huatanay
- Yanatile
The large number of rivers that flow through the lands of this valley, makes this Sacred Valley as it was known by the Incas is fertile for agricultural production and therefore it has been settled among her various peoples who to date live and maintain their customs, thus making it possible that the history of the Incas and this beautiful valley is not lost over the years.
