Patallacta

On his way to Machu Picchu Hiram Bingham, discoverer of many Incan sites, passed Patallacta [1]. His associate Mr. Herman Tucker reported that the name of the town was Patallacta containing about one hundred houses [1]. Above it were several important sites including Huayllabamba [1]. This site is located 1.5 km away from the start of the "Classic Inca Trail" [1]. This site housed many occupants, including travellers and soldiers who manned the nearby "hill fort" of Willkaraqay, and a shrine with rounded walls known as Pulpituyuq that had religious and ceremonial functions [1]. Patallacta was burned by Manco Inca Yupanqui, who destroyed a number of settlements along the Inca road system during his retreat from Cusco in 1536 to discourage Spanish pursuit [1].