The city of Cusco in Peru is considered the starting point for tourists coming to the country to explore the local history, culture and traditions. The village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On its territory there are a large number of architectural monuments, temple buildings and museum exhibits.
History of Cusco in Peru
As shown by archaeological excavations, the first people began to settle on the territory of the modern settlement 3 thousand years ago. In its heyday the city was the capital of the Inca Empire.
Legends of the founding of the city
As legend has it, the founding of the city was commanded by the gods themselves. Following their wish, the first Inca ruler, Manco Capac, came out of Lake Titicaca with his family and used a golden rod to search for the place where he would “enter the earth”. As soon as suitable land was found, the emperor ordered a city to be built on it in the shape of an animal sacred to his people, the puma.
According to another version, the founders were four brothers and four sisters who came out of a cave on an island in Lake Titicaca, and among them was Manco Capac.
Cusco at the time of the great Inca empire
In the pre-Hispanic period, Cuzco was an important cultural, political and religious center of the country. Trade routes from the city linked parts of the empire. At this time, the Coricancha Temple, the Inca Palace, and other monumental structures were built in the city.
The settlement was a center of production and trade in metals, ceramics, textiles, and agricultural products.
Development of the city after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors
After the Spanish flag was hoisted over the city in 1533, many of these structures fell into disrepair as the conquerors dismantled the building elements to build their own structures. In 1535 a university was founded in Cusco, which became the center of education in the region. The Spanish brought with them new crafts, culture, and religion.
General information about Cusco today
Today Cusco is one of the largest tourist centers of Peru, which is visited by up to 2 thousand tourists every day. The main occupation of the locals is the trade of souvenirs, clothing and household items. Part of the population is employed in agriculture.
Population
More than 413 thousand people live in the city. Most of the inhabitants are Peruvians, but there are also Europeans, Mestizos, Indians, and Africans in Cuzco. On the streets of the city you can find many people in national dress, which is a local tradition, not a sham for tourists.
Weather and best time to visit the city
The rainy season in Peru lasts from November to March, but local guides still organize tours and excursions. Weather in Cuzco travelers are not spoiled: days in the mountains are hot, and nights are cold (thermometers can drop to 0 ° C), so you should stock up on warm clothes.
The best time to visit is from April to October.
The city of Cusco on the map
Cusco is located in the southeast of the country at an altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level in the Andes. The Urubamba River runs through the city. The settlement is the administrative center of the province and region of the same name.
Popular attractions in Cusco and surroundings
The concentration of a large number of attractions has made the region one of the most popular tourist destinations in Latin America.
Experienced travelers also associate the former Inca capital with colonial-era architecture, narrow streets, and traditional markets.
Inca Museum
The Inca Museum has a collection of archaeological finds from before the Inca civilization, the time of empire and Spanish domination. Of the museum’s collection of 9,600 exhibits, only 600 are on display for public viewing. And every six months the exhibition changes.
The museum is located in a 16th-century colonial building.
Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park
The archaeological park includes such ruins as:
- Sacsayhuaman. The ancient area of the Inca capital was surrounded by walls 6-9 m high. The walls were built using blocks weighing up to 200 tons. According to historians’ calculations, 20 thousand people took part in the construction of Sacsayhuaman.
- Kenco. Located 3 km from Cusco towards the Sacred Valley, the ruins are in the shape of an amphitheater. An observatory for observing celestial bodies was also set up here.
- Tambomachay. “Water resort” for the ruler of the Inca Empire, where canals, cascades and aqueducts were built.
- Puca-Pucara. Ruins of an Inca defensive fortress with large walls, terraces and staircases preserved.
Temple of the Sun Coricancha and the Church of Santo Domingo
At the height of the Inca Empire, the Coricancha temple in honor of the sun god was the richest temple structure in the region. Its walls were decorated with sheets of gold and inlaid with precious stones. After the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, the church of Santo Domingo was built on the site of a sacred structure. However, some parts of the ancient temple have been preserved and are available for viewing.
Coca Museum
A museum that tells the story of the coca bush, its role and importance to the ancient Incas and modern Peruvians. The exhibit introduces visitors to the history and uses of the plant.
Chocolate Museum
The museum-cafe not only provides information about the history and methods of chocolate production, but also gives visitors the opportunity to make their own delicacies. Tourists can taste the sweets without leaving the establishment. On the menu of the local cafe, most of the dishes contain chocolate – tea, lollipops, coffee and even wine.
Every day the exhibition is visited by up to 200 people.
Museum of Sacred, Magical and Medicinal Plants
This museum serves more of an educational role, telling the story of local flora, which residents use for a variety of purposes. There is a small garden near the exposition building, where some species of plants grow. You can visit the Museum of Sacred, Magical and Medicinal Plants for free.
San Pedro Central Market
The city’s main market is open from 5:30 to 17:30. A stroll through this place will be a real treat for shopping lovers. Among the goods offered are souvenirs, clothes made of alpaca wool, fresh products, ingredients for folk medicine (dried frogs, insects, etc.). At the market, you can try Peruvian street food or refresh yourself with a glass of fruit juice, which is squeezed on the spot.
Plaza da Armas Arms Square
The Plaza de Armas is considered an important place for all descendants of the Incas. It was there that the last ruler of the empire, Tupac Amaru, was executed for refusing to submit to the will of the Spanish monarch.
Today, the square is the historic core of the city and contains most of Cuzco’s landmarks, including the cathedral.
Cusco Planetarium
A visit to the planetarium in Cuzco is included in the program of various tours, including gastronomic ones. So, some companies offer to enjoy contemplation of the stars of the Southern Hemisphere, and then finish the evening with a nice romantic dinner.
The planetarium itself organizes excursions to the place where you can contemplate the night sky. Reservations for such groups should be made in advance.
Statue of Christ
The statue of Christ was given to the city by the Palestinian community in gratitude for sheltering people from the Middle East during World War II. The monument is set on a mountain near Sacsayhuaman.
Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is considered the birthplace of the ancient Inca civilization. On the territory of the region are remnants of the cities of the empire. Some were famous for their astronomers, others became residences of rulers, some produced salt, etc. A visit to the entire territory will not fit in a few days – such a tour should be provided for in advance.
Machu Picchu
The mysterious city in the mountains was so inaccessible that even Spanish colonists over the centuries of rule were unable to reach it. According to one version, Machu Picchu was built as the residence of the ruler of Pachacutec. The ruins of about 200 ancient buildings remain in the village.
What else to see in and around Cusco
If time remains, you can visit other attractions in Cusco or its surroundings:
- Rainbow Mountains Vinikunk, whose sands have been colored with all the colors of the rainbow by atmospheric conditions, minerals and groundwater.
- Museum of Regional History, considered one of the most visited exhibitions in the city. Paintings, sculptures, coin collections, and ethnographic finds from Inca times to the present are on display.
- Monument to Pachacutec, the 9th ruler of the Kingdom of Cuzco, who expanded the borders of its territories. At the foot of the pedestal there is a small museum, and at the top there is an observation deck with views of the city.
- The Church of San Pedro de Andahuayllas, called the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes,” thanks to the frescos of the artist Luis de Riño.
Ways to get to Cusco
Cusco can be reached by air, bus or rail. In Peru you can also rent a car or take a cab.
By air
There are daily flights from Cusco Airport to Lima and Arequipa, and there are flights to other cities. You can get to the transportation hub by cab. It is better to agree on the price of travel in advance, as drivers can inflate the cost by up to 3 times.
By train
A railroad connection connects Cusco with the ancient city of Machu Picchu and the village of Puno on Lake Titicaca.
The local road is considered the highest in the world.
By bus
A bus trip to other major cities in the country can take 6-8 hours. Therefore, you should clarify in advance information about the availability of toilets in the vehicle or the possibility of a stop along the way. For example, the Cusco-Puno flight has neither.
