Cuzco Tours, Travel and Adventures
Tourism in Peru

VISIT CUZCO

The ancient Inca capital's cobblestone streets house artisan shops, world-class restaurants and raucous discos.

Cuzco tours: Machu Picchu tours - Inca Trail trek - Sacred Valley - Salkantay - Cuzco Cultural.Back to top

Visit in Cuzco city:

• Main Square. When the Incas ruled Cusco, it was known as the Huacaypata, or “place of weeping or of meeting”, and was the backdrop to sacred ceremonies held there. It has likewise been the stage to several key historical events.

• The Cathedral. Built in the 16th century, this landmark is really three churches in one as well as a depository of valuable masterpieces – more than 1200 are on display -, ranging from gold leafed altars, a wood carved choir and a painting with an interesting interpretation of the Last Supper, where the artist included, among the food served, a Guinea pig, which is traditional meal of Cusco.

• Church of Our Lady of Mercy. This church is headquarters of the Order of Mercy (Mercedarians) in Peru. It is an excellent example of architecture coming out of the time when Peru was a Spanish viceroyalty. On its interior walls hang flawlessly restored paintings from the Cusco School. Yet, the highlight of it all is the pure-gold custody, studded with diamonds, rubies, pearls and other gemstones, which is said to be a replica of the one in the Cathedral of Toledo, Spain.

• Church of the Company of Jesus. A Jesuit church, located to one side of the Main Square. Inside are priceless works of art, delicate wood religious statues and uncommon places tucked away in corners of the building, like its underground chapel dedicated to praying for the dead, its sacristy and its aerial corridors that reach to the central cupola.

• Saint Dominic Convent. Build overtop the remains of the Incan Qoricancha, or Temple of the Sun, which according to the Incas was the exact center of the world. A tour of the place includes the remaining sections of the old Incan temple, royal apartments, three other minor temples (dedicated to the moon, the stars and the rainbow) and the circular tower, which is the signature of this landmark.

• San Blas, quarter and church. A charming section of town where Cusco’s artisans live and work. It used to be known as the Incan quarter of T’oqokachi. Visit the church there to see a nice collection of paintings.

• Archbishop Palace and the 12-angle stone. Built during the Colony on the palace foundations of one of the Incan Emperors, Inca Roca, and exhibiting definite Arabic influences, it is currently site of the Museum of Religious Art. Next to the Archbishop Palace on Hatunrumiyoc Street, is an ancient Incan wall, a famous example of the notable stone work of the Incas, who accomplished themselves in polishing and fitting together blocks of stone. This is the wall that contains the celebrated “Twelveangle” stone, famous for the perfect fit of each one of its corners.

• Larco Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Another nice collection (450 works of art) are on display here, done between 1250 B.C. and 1532 A.D.

• Sacsayhuamán archeological complex: the Fortress, Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay. There are 33 archeological sites within this area, yet obviously the most important is Sacsayhuamán itself. Its name means “house of the sun”, and every June 24th, the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun is celebrated at this spot. Other sites include: 1) Qenko, which means “labyrinth”, that researchers believe was built around 1500 A.D. and may have been the center of sun, moon and star worship, 2) Pukapukara features chambers, inner plazas, aqueducts, stairways and trails and seems to have served as a tambo, or an inn, where the Incan Emperor might have stopped and rested for the night, and 3) Tambomachay, which some historians hypothesize that might have been a place for water worship and earth regeneration.

Cuzco tours: Machu Picchu tours - Inca Trail trek - Sacred Valley - Salkantay - Cuzco Cultural.Back to top