When travelers think "Inca," their minds immediately rush to images of Machu Picchu, the iconic ancient archaeological complex isolated amongst the Andean peaks. However, there are many important Inca ruins complexes nearby Cusco that are worth visiting to get a complete picture of the great society that once ruled the area. Perhaps the most impressive collection of these relics of the ancient empire is the complex of Sacsayhuaman ruins, which sits atop a hill overlooking the Inca's former capital city. Sacsayhuaman Ruins - Pronounced 'Sexywoman' The name "Sacsayhuaman" (or the many spelling variations of the name, including Saksaywaman, Sacsahuaman, and Saxahuaman, amongst others) can be a mouthful for visitors unfamiliar with the Quechuan tongue, but it is pronounced like “sexy woman,” which expert guides in Peru will joke about to no end. There are various interpretations about the tonguetwisiting title, the prevailing one relating to the belief that Cusco's zigzag shape was evokes a puma, and its speckled head was the hill of "Sacsa Uma." Visiting Sacsayhuaman Ruins Sacsayhuaman ruins make for a fantastic half-day trip from Cusco city centre. The ruins are easily reached, with a short drive from the city centre. The ruins can be combined with a visit to other, smaller nearby ruins, or as a standalone visit in itself. Located outside the city centre and up a hill, the views back over the city are spectacular from this historic site, and make it undoubtedtly one of the best things to do in Cusco. About Sacsayhuaman Ruins Although the origins of Sacsayhuaman ruins are uncertain, most academics agree that Sacsayhuamán was an important military or ceremonial site at the time of the Incas. The ruins date back to the time of Pachacutec, the Inca ruler who brought the Inca Empire to its climax around AD 1200. The most remarkable characteristic of the site is its megalithic architecture, with the largest