The Twelve-Angled Stone

End the route in front of a single stone. It may not look like much, but it is the most famous block in Cusco. Count its sides: twelve angles, each one fitted precisely to the stones around it.

1How it was done

Inca stonemasons used neither iron tools nor the wheel to move their blocks. They worked with hammerstones of harder rock, sand and water, testing the fit again and again until the joints were almost invisible. There is no mortar: the wall holds together through weight and the shape of its pieces. This technique, known as polygonal masonry, was reserved for the most important buildings.

The wall belongs to the palace attributed to the Inca Roca and today supports the Archbishop’s Palace. Many symbolic meanings have been proposed for the twelve angles, but none has been proven. Most likely the stone was cut this way simply to fit in its place.

On the same wall, look for the outline of a puma that some people see formed by several stones. Ask whoever is around: someone almost always points it out.

In 2025 the stone was damaged in an act of vandalism. Admire it without touching it.

2What to look for

• The twelve angles, one by one.
• The joints, so tight that there is no gap between the blocks.
• The greenish colour of the stone, different from the rest of the wall.

If you still have energy, the Cuesta de San Blas starts a few metres further up, with artisans’ workshops and views over the rooftops.