Casa de las Sierpes

This is a post-colonial, transitional-period building in Cusco called Casa de las Sierpes (House of the Snakes), constructed in the 1580s, when indigenous stone masons were helping in the construction of Spanish buildings. It presents clear evidence debunking pseudo-archeological claims that natives of that era weren’t capable of creating this style of precise fitting stonework. Apart from the Spanish lintel and larger European style doorway, the walls here are vertical, whereas the stone walls on most pre-colonial inca buildings are slightly inclined (roughly 3 degrees) to aid in earthquake resistance.