Tumebamba

Tumebamba, also known as Tumipampa, was a significant urban center in the Inca Empire, serving as the northern capital under Emperor Huayna Capac. The site, now beneath the city of Cuenca in Ecuador, was originally inhabited by the Cañari people before its incorporation into the Inca Empire in the 15th century CE. Tumebamba featured urban and religious structures, including palaces and temples, and was heavily influenced by Cuzco's architectural style. The city's construction included the monumental task of transporting stones from Cuzco, demonstrating the Inca's organizational prowess. Tumebamba was largely destroyed during the civil war between Huáscar and Atahualpa in the early 16th century CE, but remnants of its grandeur are preserved in the archaeological sites of Pumapunku and Todos Santos. These sites provide insight into Inca urban planning and construction techniques.