The ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Cusco, Peru Jun 18, 2026

The ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Cusco, Peru

Set high above Cusco in Peru, Sacsayhuamán reveals the ambition of the Inca Empire in stone. Built in the 15th century, this vast complex once formed part of the sacred capital of the Incas. From above, the layout becomes clear: terraces, open plazas and the remains of towers forming a carefully planned citadel. The largest walls, built from enormous blocks, still stand strong today. Some stones rise more than 8 metres tall and were fitted together so precisely—without mortar—that the structure has endured centuries of earthquakes.

© Creative-Family/Getty Images Plus

palette

Today in History

Dad on duty
What waterborne wizardry is this?
Jun 18, 2024Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Jun 18, 2025Asian swallowtail butterfly on a red spider lily

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Why is this cliffside ablaze?
Oct 22, 2025Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria
Dec 1, 2025Antarctica Day
Jun 25, 2024Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, USA
Aug 1, 2026Big Island, Hawaii, United States
Jul 5, 2026Lavender rows, Plateau de Valensole, Provence, France
Oct 19, 2024Temple of Hathor, Dendera Temple Complex, Qena, Egypt
Where the humpback whale sings
Urban planning never stops
Dec 12, 2025Poinsettia: A winter classic
An oasis in the desert
Oct 28, 2024Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
May 27, 2024Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, Tamil Nadu
Apr 20, 2026Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah, United States
Lighting the world
Jul 25, 2026Praia das Catedrais, Galicia, Spain
A flashy, frigid waterfowl
Dec 13, 2025Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Jul 3, 2026Fireflies glowing above a stream, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Feb 6, 20262026 Winter Olympics
Oct 27, 2025Chhath Puja
Apr 10, 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela
Oct 16, 2023Golden larches and Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Washington
May 27, 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Jul 17, 2024Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany
What are these unique creatures?
What is this grand structure?
Apr 30, 2024Cheetah in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Apr 28, 2024Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, USA
Nov 25, 2024Maasai giraffes in Amboseli National Park, Kenya