The Festival of Señor de Choquekillka takes place each year in the town (and famous Inca archaeological site) of Ollantaytambo. Located in the sacred valley about half way between Cusco and Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo is famous for its breathtaking Inca ruins. And once a year, in May or June, the town sqaure comes alive with “La celebración de Señor Choquekillka.”

The Choquekillka festival originates from the story of a man named Román who, while riding on horseback near Ollantaytambo,saw a brilliantly-shining cross spinning in the river Vilcanota. Distracted by its incandescence, he fell into the river and was trapped in the rapidly-spinning whirlpool. Miraculously, and by no will of his own, he ended up on the river bank and was rescued from drowning. The power of the cross had saved him, and the miracle of this cross was declared Señor Choquekillka, patron of Ollantaytambo.