Vilcabamba, the final stronghold of the Neo-Inca State, was abandoned in 1572 primarily following the Spanish execution of the last Inca ruler, which led its inhabitants to desert the capital.
The Last Inca Stronghold
For nearly four decades, Vilcabamba served as a vital refuge for approximately 4,000 indigenous people after the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. During this period, the inhabitants of Vilcabamba were not passive; they actively engaged in sporadic warfare against the encroaching Spanish forces. Despite the ongoing conflict, the Incas managed to sustain a vibrant community within Vilcabamba, evidenced by the construction of grand palaces and temples, signifying their resilience and continued efforts to maintain their cultural and political independence.
The Fall of Vilcabamba
The strategic importance and the very existence of Vilcabamba came to an abrupt end in 1572. This year marked a pivotal turning point in the history of the Inca resistance.
Key Events Leading to Abandonment
The ultimate abandonment of Vilcabamba was a direct consequence of a decisive action taken by the Spanish:
- Execution of the Last Inca Ruler: In 1572, Spanish forces successfully captured and executed the last reigning Inca ruler. This act effectively dismantled the leadership and symbolic heart of the Neo-Inca State.
- Mass Desertion: Following the death of their final leader, the approximately 4,000 indigenous inhabitants of Vilcabamba reportedly deserted their capital. Without their spiritual and political head, maintaining the resistance or the city itself became unsustainable.
- Reclamation by Nature: After its abandonment, Vilcabamba was left to the elements and quickly succumbed to the dense jungle. The city, once a bustling center of resistance and culture, disappeared beneath the vegetation, remaining hidden for centuries.
The sequence of these events illustrates a clear cause-and-effect relationship, where the military victory of the Spanish, specifically the elimination of the Inca leadership, directly led to the collapse and subsequent desertion of Vilcabamba.
Timeline of Vilcabamba's End
| Year | Event | Impact on Vilcabamba |
|---|---|---|
| ~1532-1572 | Vilcabamba serves as Inca refuge | Home to 4,000 Indians, built palaces/temples, resisted Spanish. |
| 1572 | Spanish kill the last Inca ruler | Critical blow to Inca resistance and leadership. |
| Post-1572 | Inhabitants apparently desert the capital | Vilcabamba is abandoned and subsequently hidden by the jungle. |
This chain of events brought an end to the last bastion of Inca independent rule, leaving Vilcabamba to be rediscovered centuries later as a testament to their enduring struggle.
