The stone of the 12 angles is one of the most visited places in the city of Cusco. Its perfect finish and perfectionist edging, the main characteristic of the Inca culture, made it a Cultural Heritage of the Nation in Peru.
Today, it is a fixed place to visit if you do tourism in Peru, with an incredible panorama, you will capture in a photograph this attractive and important tourist place. And best of all, it is only 8 minutes from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.
History of the Stone of the 12 Angles
According to historians, the stone of the 12 angles would be more than 500 years old. It is a large stone embedded in an Inca wall, it has 12 angles that fit perfectly with the surrounding stones, which is why it is considered one of the most representative figures of perfection that was made in the time of the Incas.
It is presumed that the stone of the 12 angles represents the division of 24 families: 12 families in Hurin Cusco and 12 families in Hanan Cusco.
In the 16th century, the 12-angled stone was one of the immense Inca walls that formed part of the Palace of Inca Roca, who was the sixth ruler of Cusco. However, the Inca’s palace was occupied by the Spanish, who took advantage of the wealth that existed inside, and decided to loot it.
This stone is very famous due to the perfection of its angles. Also, for being a slightly large and very solid stone.
Currently, it is not known with exact precision about the usefulness of this imposing stone, what we are sure and we have verified it many times is that the Incas had extensive knowledge about the architectural work they carried out. Constructions such as the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the Sacsayhuamán fortress and many more attractions that the city of Cusco has, will make you witness their incredible work.
How big and how heavy is the 12-angled stone?
The stone of the 12 angles measures 2 meters and weighs approximately 6 tons. The architects mention that if the stone were removed from its place, the Cusco Art Museum, which is located in one of the streets that adjoins this stone, would collapse.
What characteristics does the stone of the 12 angles have?
- The stone of the 12 angles is composed of a diorite formation, with 12 edges that highlight the perfectionist Inca architecture.
- The famous stone of the 12 angles is very frequented and valued by tourists when they arrive in the imperial city of Cusco.
- You can take incredible photos on the stone, but we recommend you not to touch it, since it is considered a relic from the time of the Incas.
- You do not have to pay an entrance fee to see the famous stone of the 12 angles, the street where the stone is located is freely accessible to the general public.
Where is the stone of the 12 angles?
It is located about 200 meters from the main square of Cusco (8 minutes walk) on Hatun Rumiyoc street near the San Blas neighborhood, surrounded by craft shops, jewelry stores and jewelry stores. It belongs to a construction where the Archbishop’s Palace and the Museum of Religious Art of Cusco are currently located.
To get here, you just have to walk uphill in the direction of Triunfo street, continue in a straight line and you will arrive at the “Famous stone of the 12 angles”.
The technique used by the Incas was precisely, methodically exact. The precision and combination of the 12 angles of the stone with the other rocks on the wall is amazing. The masonry was done precisely, methodically and in an extremely exact manner.
The fact that the stone has been carved in 12 different points to give stability to the structure, demonstrates the skill and intelligence of the Inca engineers.
There are other stones in the wall, which were cut into five, six and seven points. This is because its builders realized that it was an area prone to earthquakes, and therefore took precautions to give the wall a solid foundation. As proof, this structure has passed the difficult test of time, remaining standing for several centuries.
It is surprising to see how the 12 angles of this stone fit perfectly on the wall with other stones. The enigmatic stone of the 12 angles is a work of the skill of the Incas that you must know. Who would not like to take a picture in this traditional street of Cusco and its famous stone of the 12 angles?
