CUSCO, THE NAVEL OF THE ANDEAN WORLD
The sacred city of Cusco, capital of the Inkan Empire, was designed by the legendary Inka Pachakuti
in the physical shape of a Puma. At 10,900 ft. above sea level (3,300 m), Cusco was the heart of the
Tawantinsuyo, Peru's pre- Colombian Empire.
Cusco today is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, a fascinating and colourful
paradox of the past and the present. When this ancient city was the Tawantinsuyo's Capital it also
must have been the biggest and most important metropolis of the continent. Pedro Sancho de la
Hoz, a Spanish soldier who acted as Pizarro's secretary, wrote in 1543 that in the city were found a
few thousand houses. Santiago Agurto following relative population densities estimates about
100,000 persons for the urban zone and about 100,000 for the rural one, that is, a total population
of about 200,000 inhabitants.
Today Cusco is considered the oldest living city in the American Continent with a continuous
occupation of about 1,000 years until today. What is traditionally known as the Inka civilization
(empire or state) began approximately by 1200 A.D. in its initial phase, and later around 1400 A.D. in
its expansive phase. One of the most difficult epochs in the city's life, begun in 1533 with the arrival
and subsequent Spanish invasion and ethnocide. November 15th 1533, Francisco Pizarro re-
founded it for the Spanish King following the Spanish tradition on March 23rd 1534; with the name
and title of: THE VERY NOBLE AND GREAT CITY OF Cusco. In 1535 Pizarro founded the new
capital in Lima that immediately gained importance and power even until today. In 1536 Manko Inka
began a long and bloody war against the Spanish invaders having a siege of 8 months over the city.
Finally in 1572, after a war that lasted 36 years, Tupaq Amaru I, the last emperor of the Inkan
dynasty was defeated, captured and executed cutting his head off in Cusco's Main Square.
In Cusco, we also find the Santo Domingo church, built over what once was the most magnificent
temple in the Americas, the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Its courtyards were filled with life-sized
gold and silver representations of all the flora and fauna of the Empire. Pizarro's men looted the
temple as part of Inka Atahualpa royal ransom, who was held prisoner in Cajamarca by the
Spaniards and later killed. An earthquake destroyed the Santo Domingo church in 1950 revealing
the Inka walls that were hidden or plastered over. These walls of the Temple of the Sun are some of
the finest example of Inka stonework in existence.
The Plaza de Armas, called Wakaypata by the Quechuas, signifies cry or moan, and originated in
the expressions of reverence and celebrations with which the priests or military ceremonies were
carried out in this place. It existed different solar meters at all those places and the Andean masters
used as observatories to have the control of the time.
The terrain in Cusco is steep, combining fertile inter-Andean valleys with impressive mountains that
descend to the rim of the jungle where the temperature rises and the landscape is transformed
through a variety of vegetation.
The city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, was placed on the World Cultural Heritage
List by UNESCO in 1983, and is without a doubt one of the destinations in Peru. There are Inkan
buildings waiting for you to discover them among its cobble-stoned streets, ones like the Korikancha
and the palace of Inka Roca. In addition, you can visit the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas
where the artisans in the department have set up their workshops. This magical city also has an
exciting nightlife with cafes, restaurants, and bars for all tastes. Just ten minutes away from the city,
there are the massive walls of Sacsaywaman, and a few kilometers from there, you find the
archeological sites as Q’enko, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Maras, Chinchero, and
Ollantaytambo.
From Cusco, it is possible to catch the train to Machu Picchu. Another way of getting to the Sacred
City is by following one of the Inka Trails, a spectacular network of pathways that snake their way
among the mountains and overwhelming countryside. This is one of the best trekking routes in the
world, since scattered throughout it, you find remarkable archeological sites and areas rich in flora
and fauna.
The enigmatic complex of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the Inkas, is part
of the Historic Sanctuary of the same name, which is also one of the few places in the Americas
placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO. It is located high on a
mountain and complements the exuberant nature that surrounds it.
WEATHER. The city has a semi-dry and cold climate. The annual average maximum temperature is
19.6ºC (67.3ºF) and the minimum is 4.2ºC (39.6ºF). The rainy season starts in November and ends
in March, and it is the time when the mountains are covered in green. Between June and August is
the time of the intense cold even with occasional snowfalls.
in the physical shape of a Puma. At 10,900 ft. above sea level (3,300 m), Cusco was the heart of the
Tawantinsuyo, Peru's pre- Colombian Empire.
Cusco today is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, a fascinating and colourful
paradox of the past and the present. When this ancient city was the Tawantinsuyo's Capital it also
must have been the biggest and most important metropolis of the continent. Pedro Sancho de la
Hoz, a Spanish soldier who acted as Pizarro's secretary, wrote in 1543 that in the city were found a
few thousand houses. Santiago Agurto following relative population densities estimates about
100,000 persons for the urban zone and about 100,000 for the rural one, that is, a total population
of about 200,000 inhabitants.
Today Cusco is considered the oldest living city in the American Continent with a continuous
occupation of about 1,000 years until today. What is traditionally known as the Inka civilization
(empire or state) began approximately by 1200 A.D. in its initial phase, and later around 1400 A.D. in
its expansive phase. One of the most difficult epochs in the city's life, begun in 1533 with the arrival
and subsequent Spanish invasion and ethnocide. November 15th 1533, Francisco Pizarro re-
founded it for the Spanish King following the Spanish tradition on March 23rd 1534; with the name
and title of: THE VERY NOBLE AND GREAT CITY OF Cusco. In 1535 Pizarro founded the new
capital in Lima that immediately gained importance and power even until today. In 1536 Manko Inka
began a long and bloody war against the Spanish invaders having a siege of 8 months over the city.
Finally in 1572, after a war that lasted 36 years, Tupaq Amaru I, the last emperor of the Inkan
dynasty was defeated, captured and executed cutting his head off in Cusco's Main Square.
In Cusco, we also find the Santo Domingo church, built over what once was the most magnificent
temple in the Americas, the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Its courtyards were filled with life-sized
gold and silver representations of all the flora and fauna of the Empire. Pizarro's men looted the
temple as part of Inka Atahualpa royal ransom, who was held prisoner in Cajamarca by the
Spaniards and later killed. An earthquake destroyed the Santo Domingo church in 1950 revealing
the Inka walls that were hidden or plastered over. These walls of the Temple of the Sun are some of
the finest example of Inka stonework in existence.
The Plaza de Armas, called Wakaypata by the Quechuas, signifies cry or moan, and originated in
the expressions of reverence and celebrations with which the priests or military ceremonies were
carried out in this place. It existed different solar meters at all those places and the Andean masters
used as observatories to have the control of the time.
The terrain in Cusco is steep, combining fertile inter-Andean valleys with impressive mountains that
descend to the rim of the jungle where the temperature rises and the landscape is transformed
through a variety of vegetation.
The city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, was placed on the World Cultural Heritage
List by UNESCO in 1983, and is without a doubt one of the destinations in Peru. There are Inkan
buildings waiting for you to discover them among its cobble-stoned streets, ones like the Korikancha
and the palace of Inka Roca. In addition, you can visit the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas
where the artisans in the department have set up their workshops. This magical city also has an
exciting nightlife with cafes, restaurants, and bars for all tastes. Just ten minutes away from the city,
there are the massive walls of Sacsaywaman, and a few kilometers from there, you find the
archeological sites as Q’enko, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Maras, Chinchero, and
Ollantaytambo.
From Cusco, it is possible to catch the train to Machu Picchu. Another way of getting to the Sacred
City is by following one of the Inka Trails, a spectacular network of pathways that snake their way
among the mountains and overwhelming countryside. This is one of the best trekking routes in the
world, since scattered throughout it, you find remarkable archeological sites and areas rich in flora
and fauna.
The enigmatic complex of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the Inkas, is part
of the Historic Sanctuary of the same name, which is also one of the few places in the Americas
placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO. It is located high on a
mountain and complements the exuberant nature that surrounds it.
WEATHER. The city has a semi-dry and cold climate. The annual average maximum temperature is
19.6ºC (67.3ºF) and the minimum is 4.2ºC (39.6ºF). The rainy season starts in November and ends
in March, and it is the time when the mountains are covered in green. Between June and August is
the time of the intense cold even with occasional snowfalls.
| Tours Exotiques discovering the Andes |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
By air: Daily flights to Cusco from Lima (1 hour) and Arequipa (30 minutes)
DISTANCES FROM DE CITY OF CUSCO:
Acomayo (Province of Acomayo) 104,5 km (65 miles) / 2 hours
Anta (Province of Anta) 26 km (16 miles) / 30 minutes
Calca (Province of Calca) 50 km (31 miles) / 1 hour and 15 minutes
Sicuani (Province of Canchis) 138 km (86 miles) / 2 hours
Quillabamba (Province of La Convención) 210 km (130 miles) / 6 hours
Paucartambo (Province of Paucartambo) 109 km (68 miles) / 3 hours
Urcos (Province of Quispicanchi) 46 km (29 miles) / 40 minutes
Urubamba (Province of Urubamba) 78 km (48 miles) / 1 hour
AIRPORT: Alejandro Velasco Astete. Av. Velasco Astete. Phone: (084) 22-2611
HEALTH CENTERS
Regional Hospital: Av. de la Cultura, Cusco. Phone: (084) 22-3691
Hospital Antonio: Lorena. Plazoleta Belén 1358, Cusco. Phone: (084) 22-6511
Hospital del Seguro
Tourism Police: Calle Shapy 510, Cusco. Phone: (084) 24-9654
CRAFT MARKETS
Craft Market: Corner of Av. Tullumayo & Av. Pachacuteq, Cusco
San Blas Art Market: San Blas neighborhood.
Pisaq People’s Market: District of Pisaq.
Chincheros Market: District of Chincheros.
POSTAL SERVICES. Av. El Sol 800, Cusco. Phone: (084) 22-4212 / 24-8352.
Attention: Mon. – Sat. 7:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M. and Sun. 7:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Tourist Attractions
-Main Square. During the Inca Empire, the square was called Wacaypata, a
Quechua word meaning “plaza of cry or moan” or “sacred place.” It was an
important ceremonial spot where the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun was
celebrated every year. It is also the place where Franciso Pizarro proclaimed the
invasion of Cusco. After the Spanish arrived, the plaza changed. They erected
stone arches and built the structures that surround it today.
-Cathedral. Visit in the name of god.
The building went through two construction stages: first, the Chapel of the Triumph
was built on top of what used to be the temple Suntar Wasi (An Inka observatory);
later, the cathedral itself was built over the Temple and palace of Inka Wiraqocha.
A Renaissance building in its majority, the interior decoration is in cedar and alder
woodcarvings. A Christian collection of paintings and silver wrought pieces are also
kept there.
-Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Company of Jesus Christ). Main Square
The original building was raised in 1571 on the grounds of the ancient palace of
Inka Wayna Qhapak, the Amarukancha. After the earthquake of 1650, it was rebuilt
around 1688. The design and the façade are examples of Christian imposing art.
The retable style entrance is decorated with medium size towers and the stonewalls
are carefully worked. Once inside, the triple bodied upper altar with salomonic
columns, the wooden pulpit, and numerous Baroque, Plateresque, and
Churrigueresque shrines catch the eye. The most remarkable work of art is “El
matrimonio de Martín García de Loyola con Beatriz Clara Coya“ (The Wedding of
Martín García de Loyola with Beatriz Clara Coya).
-Barrio de San Blas (San Blas Neighborhood), 4 blocks from the Main Square.
It is one of the most picturesque areas in Cusco. It is called T’oqokachi or Salt Hole
and is characterized by narrow, steep streets and Colonial houses. It is also known
as the Artisans Neighborhood. In San Blas many families accommodate guests in
their homes.
-Church of San Blas. Plaza San Blas. Founded in 1560 during the Christian
invasion, it features a masterpiece in its wood carved Baroque pulpit, attributed to
the Indigenous artist, Diego Quispe Tito.
-Church and Convent of La Merced. Calle Mantas. The Baroque church was
built between 1657 and 1680. The sacristy holds an impressive gold and
gemstones encrusted monstrance, 1,3 meters / 3 feet high and of 22 kilos. It is
crowned with one large mermaid shaped pearl.
-Church and Convent of Santo Domingo/Korikancha. Plaza Intipampa, corner
of Av. El Sol and Calle Santo Domingo. The Korikancha was one of the most
impressive buildings of the Inkas, the glowing gilding of the interior walls illuminated
what used to be the main temple dedicated to the Sun. The christians built the
church and Dominican convent on top of the original structure around 1534 but
these collapsed during the earthquake of 1650 and were rebuilt around 1681.
-Church and Convent of Santa Catalina. Calle Santa Catalina Angosta. These
two buildings were raised in 1605 on what used to be the Acllawasi or House of the
Chosen Women (acllas were women designated as special and experts in different
arts of the Inkas). The architecture is late Renaissance and is characterized by the
Roman arches. Inside, you can still see traces of the original construction. There is
also an exhibition room for murals, metal works, textiles, sculptures, and
altarpieces. Here they exhibit paintings, textiles, woodcarvings, and Colonial
altarpieces. The best among them are Diego Quispe Tito’s paintings, the Arcade
carpet, and religious ornaments made of gold and silver threads.
-Church and Convent of San Francisco. Plaza San Francisco. Founded in
1645, it has two façades and a single, old Spanish style stone tower. The
monumental painting, 12 x 9 meters / 39 x 30 feet, by Juan Espinoza de los
Monteros relating the genealogy of the Franciscan family is the highlight of the
convent.
-Palacio Arzobispal y Piedra de los Doce Ángulos. (Archbishop’s House and
the Twelve-Angle Stone). Intersection of Calle Hatunrumiyoc and Jiron Herrajes.
This Vice-royal building with Arabic influence was raised on the foundations of the
palace of Inka Roca. Presently, it is the main centre of the Museum of Christian Art.
On Calle Hatunrumiyoc, you can see an Inka wall that was part of the Inka Roca
palace and demonstrates the admirable construction skill of the Inka in terms of
polished and perfectly placed stones. The most remarkable part is the “Twelve-
Angle Stone”, famous for the perfect work and assembling of its angles.
-Palacio del Almirante (Admiral’s Palace). Calle Cuesta del Almirante 153.
It is an old mansion, which today is the site of the Inka Museum. It contains an
important archeological collection that includes ceramic, fine metal, and textile
pieces as well as mummies.
-House of the Inka Garcilaso de la Vega. Calle Heladeros. Born on April 12,
1539, Inka Garcilaso de la Vega was the son of the Spanish Captain Garcilaso de
la Vega y Vargas and the Cusco princess, Chimpu Ocllo. He is the author of two
works, “Comentarios Reales” (Royal Commentaries) and “La Florida del Inca” (The
Inka Flower), both motivated by the necessity to recover the history of the Inka
Empire. The house is the current location of the Regional Historical Museum that
contains a collection of canvasses from the Cusco School.
-Larco Museum of Pre-Colombian Art. Plaza Nazarenas 231. Phone: (084) 23-
3210. The mansion that shelters the museum was Kancha Inka in 1450, the house
of the invador Alonso Díaz in 1580, the home of Count de la Cabrera in 1850, and
was completely restored to become the Museum of Pre-Colombian Art in June
2003. In its 11 rooms, 450 works of art are displayed that date from 1250 B.C. to
1532 A.D. These were selected from a group of 45.000 objects belonging to the
collection of the Larco Archeological Museum in Lima.
DISTANCES FROM DE CITY OF CUSCO:
Acomayo (Province of Acomayo) 104,5 km (65 miles) / 2 hours
Anta (Province of Anta) 26 km (16 miles) / 30 minutes
Calca (Province of Calca) 50 km (31 miles) / 1 hour and 15 minutes
Sicuani (Province of Canchis) 138 km (86 miles) / 2 hours
Quillabamba (Province of La Convención) 210 km (130 miles) / 6 hours
Paucartambo (Province of Paucartambo) 109 km (68 miles) / 3 hours
Urcos (Province of Quispicanchi) 46 km (29 miles) / 40 minutes
Urubamba (Province of Urubamba) 78 km (48 miles) / 1 hour
AIRPORT: Alejandro Velasco Astete. Av. Velasco Astete. Phone: (084) 22-2611
HEALTH CENTERS
Regional Hospital: Av. de la Cultura, Cusco. Phone: (084) 22-3691
Hospital Antonio: Lorena. Plazoleta Belén 1358, Cusco. Phone: (084) 22-6511
Hospital del Seguro
Tourism Police: Calle Shapy 510, Cusco. Phone: (084) 24-9654
CRAFT MARKETS
Craft Market: Corner of Av. Tullumayo & Av. Pachacuteq, Cusco
San Blas Art Market: San Blas neighborhood.
Pisaq People’s Market: District of Pisaq.
Chincheros Market: District of Chincheros.
POSTAL SERVICES. Av. El Sol 800, Cusco. Phone: (084) 22-4212 / 24-8352.
Attention: Mon. – Sat. 7:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M. and Sun. 7:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Tourist Attractions
-Main Square. During the Inca Empire, the square was called Wacaypata, a
Quechua word meaning “plaza of cry or moan” or “sacred place.” It was an
important ceremonial spot where the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun was
celebrated every year. It is also the place where Franciso Pizarro proclaimed the
invasion of Cusco. After the Spanish arrived, the plaza changed. They erected
stone arches and built the structures that surround it today.
-Cathedral. Visit in the name of god.
The building went through two construction stages: first, the Chapel of the Triumph
was built on top of what used to be the temple Suntar Wasi (An Inka observatory);
later, the cathedral itself was built over the Temple and palace of Inka Wiraqocha.
A Renaissance building in its majority, the interior decoration is in cedar and alder
woodcarvings. A Christian collection of paintings and silver wrought pieces are also
kept there.
-Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Company of Jesus Christ). Main Square
The original building was raised in 1571 on the grounds of the ancient palace of
Inka Wayna Qhapak, the Amarukancha. After the earthquake of 1650, it was rebuilt
around 1688. The design and the façade are examples of Christian imposing art.
The retable style entrance is decorated with medium size towers and the stonewalls
are carefully worked. Once inside, the triple bodied upper altar with salomonic
columns, the wooden pulpit, and numerous Baroque, Plateresque, and
Churrigueresque shrines catch the eye. The most remarkable work of art is “El
matrimonio de Martín García de Loyola con Beatriz Clara Coya“ (The Wedding of
Martín García de Loyola with Beatriz Clara Coya).
-Barrio de San Blas (San Blas Neighborhood), 4 blocks from the Main Square.
It is one of the most picturesque areas in Cusco. It is called T’oqokachi or Salt Hole
and is characterized by narrow, steep streets and Colonial houses. It is also known
as the Artisans Neighborhood. In San Blas many families accommodate guests in
their homes.
-Church of San Blas. Plaza San Blas. Founded in 1560 during the Christian
invasion, it features a masterpiece in its wood carved Baroque pulpit, attributed to
the Indigenous artist, Diego Quispe Tito.
-Church and Convent of La Merced. Calle Mantas. The Baroque church was
built between 1657 and 1680. The sacristy holds an impressive gold and
gemstones encrusted monstrance, 1,3 meters / 3 feet high and of 22 kilos. It is
crowned with one large mermaid shaped pearl.
-Church and Convent of Santo Domingo/Korikancha. Plaza Intipampa, corner
of Av. El Sol and Calle Santo Domingo. The Korikancha was one of the most
impressive buildings of the Inkas, the glowing gilding of the interior walls illuminated
what used to be the main temple dedicated to the Sun. The christians built the
church and Dominican convent on top of the original structure around 1534 but
these collapsed during the earthquake of 1650 and were rebuilt around 1681.
-Church and Convent of Santa Catalina. Calle Santa Catalina Angosta. These
two buildings were raised in 1605 on what used to be the Acllawasi or House of the
Chosen Women (acllas were women designated as special and experts in different
arts of the Inkas). The architecture is late Renaissance and is characterized by the
Roman arches. Inside, you can still see traces of the original construction. There is
also an exhibition room for murals, metal works, textiles, sculptures, and
altarpieces. Here they exhibit paintings, textiles, woodcarvings, and Colonial
altarpieces. The best among them are Diego Quispe Tito’s paintings, the Arcade
carpet, and religious ornaments made of gold and silver threads.
-Church and Convent of San Francisco. Plaza San Francisco. Founded in
1645, it has two façades and a single, old Spanish style stone tower. The
monumental painting, 12 x 9 meters / 39 x 30 feet, by Juan Espinoza de los
Monteros relating the genealogy of the Franciscan family is the highlight of the
convent.
-Palacio Arzobispal y Piedra de los Doce Ángulos. (Archbishop’s House and
the Twelve-Angle Stone). Intersection of Calle Hatunrumiyoc and Jiron Herrajes.
This Vice-royal building with Arabic influence was raised on the foundations of the
palace of Inka Roca. Presently, it is the main centre of the Museum of Christian Art.
On Calle Hatunrumiyoc, you can see an Inka wall that was part of the Inka Roca
palace and demonstrates the admirable construction skill of the Inka in terms of
polished and perfectly placed stones. The most remarkable part is the “Twelve-
Angle Stone”, famous for the perfect work and assembling of its angles.
-Palacio del Almirante (Admiral’s Palace). Calle Cuesta del Almirante 153.
It is an old mansion, which today is the site of the Inka Museum. It contains an
important archeological collection that includes ceramic, fine metal, and textile
pieces as well as mummies.
-House of the Inka Garcilaso de la Vega. Calle Heladeros. Born on April 12,
1539, Inka Garcilaso de la Vega was the son of the Spanish Captain Garcilaso de
la Vega y Vargas and the Cusco princess, Chimpu Ocllo. He is the author of two
works, “Comentarios Reales” (Royal Commentaries) and “La Florida del Inca” (The
Inka Flower), both motivated by the necessity to recover the history of the Inka
Empire. The house is the current location of the Regional Historical Museum that
contains a collection of canvasses from the Cusco School.
-Larco Museum of Pre-Colombian Art. Plaza Nazarenas 231. Phone: (084) 23-
3210. The mansion that shelters the museum was Kancha Inka in 1450, the house
of the invador Alonso Díaz in 1580, the home of Count de la Cabrera in 1850, and
was completely restored to become the Museum of Pre-Colombian Art in June
2003. In its 11 rooms, 450 works of art are displayed that date from 1250 B.C. to
1532 A.D. These were selected from a group of 45.000 objects belonging to the
collection of the Larco Archeological Museum in Lima.
| CONTACT: |