Inca rope bridges are simple suspension bridges over canyons and gorges and rivers (pongos) constructed by the Inca Empire. The bridges were an integral part of the Inca road system and exemplify Inca innovation in engineering. Bridges of this type were useful since the Inca people did not use wheeled transport - traffic was limited to pedestrians and livestock - and they were frequently used by Chasqui runners delivering messages throughout the Inca Empire.
The Incas used natural fibers found within the local vegetation to build bridges. These fibers were woven together creating a strong rope and were reinforced with wood creating a cable floor. Each side was then attached to a pair of stone anchors on each side of the canyon with massive cables of woven grass linking these two pylons together. Adding to this construction, two additional cables acted as guardrails. The cables which supported the foot-path were reinforced with plaited branches. Part of the bridge's strength and reliability came from the fact that each cable was replaced every year by local villagersas part of their mit'a public service or obligation. In some instances, these local peasants had the sole task of maintaining and repairing these bridges so that the Inca highways or road systems could continue to function.
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| Builders gather during the renewal |
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| Preparing side lashings |
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| Main cable and hand-ropes are in place |
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| Lashing the hand-ropes to the main side cables |
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| The new bridge is now complete and in use |
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| Trimmed mat rolls form the bridge deck. |
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| Bridge in use during the rainy season. |
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