Located approximately 100 km from Cuzco, Qeswachaka bridge was once part of a network of bridges, built in the time of the Inca empire, but is now the only one of its kind, in the world. Spanning 120 feet over the Apurimac river, at around 13,000 feet above water, Qeswachaka (also spelled Q’eswachaka or Keswachaka) is built using the ancient Qhapaq nan technique, used by the Inca people.
Qhapaq nan bridges were built from grass, and were wide enough for only one person to pass, at a time. In ancient times these bridges were constantly under surveillance and everyone crossing them was monitored. When Pizzaro began his march for Cuzco, Qeswachaka was destroyed, to slow his advance, but was reconstructed, many years later.
Made from a local herb, known as Qoya, the fibers of Qeswachaka bridge deteriorate rapidly, and local communities have to reconstruct the bridge every year. Around 1,000 men and women, from various Andean communities gather at Qeswachaka bridge, every second week of June, for the rebuilding ceremony. Long blade of Qoya grass are woven into six long cables, which are bound and secured by eucalyptus trunks, buried at each end of the bridge.
It’s not that building a more modern bridge would be impossible, but this is a way for the Andean people to celebrate and honor their Inca ancestors, and keep their centuries old traditions alive.
The handwoven bridgemade out of a local grass called "Qoya", spans 120 feet (36 metres) and is rebuilt every year as a communal effort. About 1,000 farmers from the Andean communities of Huinchiri, Quehue, Choccayhua, Ccolana and Chaupibanda take part in the weaving and construction of the bridge, keeping alive an ancient Inca tradition using techniques that have been passed down through generations.
An Andean boy carries rope made from a local grass to be used in the construction of the Qeswachaka hanging bridge, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco, Peru June 10, 2010. The handwoven bridge made out of a local grass called "Qoya", spans 120 feet (36 metres) and is rebuilt every year as a communal effort.
Andean men cast their shadows as they build the Qeswachaka hanging bridge across the Apurimac river, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
An Andean woman carries a local grass for making ropes to be used in the construction of the Qeswachaka hanging bridge, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
An Andean man makes rope from a local grass to be used in the construction of the Qeswachaka hanging bridge, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
Andean men laugh as they build the Qeswachaka hanging bridge across the Apurimac river, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
Andean men stand over rope made from a local grass to be used in the construction of the Qeswachaka hanging bridge, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
Andean men pull ropes made from a local grass as they build the Qeswachaka hanging bridge, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
Andean people cross the Qeswachaka hanging bridge across the Apurimac river, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
Andean women weave ropes with a local grass to be used in the construction of the Qeswachaka hanging bridge, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
Andean men carry ropes made from a local grass to be used in the construction of the Qeswachaka hanging bridge, at the southern province of Canas in Cuzco
