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The Last Handwoven Bridge
Keshwa chaca, the last handwoven Incan bridge, crosses Apurimac Canyon in Peru
Category Architectural Oddities, Long Now Locations, Incredible Ruins, Outsider Architecture
CC Attribution Share Alike Dylan Thuras
Known as keshwa chaca, this is the only remaining example of the Incan handwoven bridges once common in the Incan road system. Made of woven grass, the bridge spans 118 feet and hangs 220 feet above the canyon's rushing river.
The Incan women braided small, thin ropes, which were then braided again by the men into large support cables, much like a modern steel suspension bridge. Handwoven bridges lasted as long as 500 years and were held in very high regard by the Inca. The punishment for tampering with such a bridge was death.
Over time, however, the bridges decayed, or were removed, leaving this single testament to Incan engineering. This previously sagging bridge was repaired in 2003, christened with a traditional Incan ceremonial bridge blessing, and is now in extremely good condition.
It's the perfect location for anyone wishing to indulge in a long-harbored Indiana Jones fantasy.
See an error? Know more? Edit this place.
- Website The Last Inka Suspension Bridge: A Photo Album
- Address Apurimac Canyon, Huinchiri, Peru
Comments
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It must be a great experience, i will visit there in one day.
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Anonymous
October 1, 2009
Sorry, my above link has changed. For the photo slideshow, please go to www.dojoklo.com and click on the "Keshwa Chaca" link -
Anonymous
July 9, 2009
This bridge, the Keshwa Chaca near Huinchiri, Peru, is completely reconstructed by the residents of the local communities each year in June. Here is a slideshow from the 2008 reconstruction: http://www.dojoklo.com/keshwa%20chaca/index5.html
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