Streets that share stories, legends, and… foxes catching their breath. If you’ve ever explored Cusco with tired legs and a joyful heart (and likely a camera filled with alpaca or llama photos), you’ve certainly walked along streets with names that resemble tongue twisters—or lovely poems.
But have you ever paused to consider what these names truly signify? Many of them are in Quechua, the language of the Incas, which is still spoken by millions throughout the Andes.
And those names? They’re not random. They’re full of meaning—sometimes majestic, sometimes hilarious, sometimes kind of poetic in a rough-around-the-edges sort of way.
Therefore, let’s dig into 10 street names in Cusco that you’ve probably walked past (or up), and uncover the real meanings behind them.
Cusco and its streets: Such a lovely romance
The city of Cusco isn’t just about Machu Picchu train tickets, majestic mountains, or taking multiple shots in the Plaza de Armas.
This city was built layer by layer—Inca stone walls beneath Spanish balconies, sacred springs beneath quiet alleyways.
However, beyond its famous sights, there’s something incredibly special hiding in plain sight: the names of the streets themselves.
Walking through Cusco is like walking through a dictionary of Quechua, the ancient language of the Andes. These aren’t just directions on a map—they’re fragments of memory.
Every name carries something: the sound of a river that no longer flows, the echo of a drumbeat from a forgotten festival, or even the practical warning of a slippery hill.
If you’ve ever wondered, What does that name mean?—you’re not alone. So, let’s pull the thread and see where it leads.
Hatun Rumiyoc – “The Street of the Big Stone”
If Cusco had a red carpet, this would be it. Hatun Rumiyoc is that famous stone-lined alley with the twelve-angled stone—a symbol of Inca precision that fits so perfectly, you’d think it was photoshopped.
In Quechua, Hatun means big or great, and Rumi means stone. Add a “yoc” at the end, and you get “the one with the big stone.” Straightforward? Yes. Iconic? Absolutely.
Hatun Rumiyoc Street once bordered the palace of Inca Roca, and today it connects the San Blas bohemian venue with the bustling historic center. San Blas Neighborhood is a charming venue filled with a fascinating religious history.
Builders constructed this colonial Spanish neighborhood over the ancient Inca district known as Tokocachi. If you haven’t taken a picture here, have you even been to Cusco?
Kiskapata – “The Place of Thorns”
As you stroll along the street, you can still see the beautiful Inca terraces that remind us of its rich past. This spot is part of the old Qhapaq Ñan, the impressive Inca road that connected the Plaza de Armas to the Antisuyo region, where Machu Picchu now stands.
At the end of the street, you’ll find a house that once belonged to the parents of Saint Rose of Lima. The name of the street translates from Quechua to “among the thorns.”
The “pata kiska” is a thorny plant that can be quite prickly. Its saw-like spine can easily pierce through shoe leather and cause a sharp, burning sensation. So, be careful when exploring this beautiful area!
Sikitakana – “The Butt-Slapping Hill” (No, seriously)
At some point, locals and visitors have walked down this street to get to San Cristobal sightseeing. Locals now call it Calle Resbalosa (Slippery Street), but its Inca name was way more fun: Sikitakana. Here’s the breakdown:
Siki means butt (yes, really), and takana means to hit or pound. So Sikitakana = “the slope that hits your butt.” Ever slid down this steep hill on a rainy day? The Incas felt your pain centuries ago.
Therefore, the name likely comes from the many slips and falls people have suffered while walking along this steep and slippery street.
It connects the Plaza de Armas with the San Cristóbal neighborhood square, where you’ll see the viewpoint and a local church. Keep in mind that the climb is no joke. The name might be cheeky, but it’s also a warning.
Waynapata – “Place of the Youth”
Tucked between Cusco’s Plaza de Armas and the San Cristóbal Church, Waynapata is a delightful area whose name comes from the Quechua words “Wayna” (young) and “Pata” (place)—meaning “the place of the young.”
You can imagine it as a vibrant neighborhood where young people came together to dance to the sounds of the pututo and enjoy chicha de jora. But there’s even more to its story!
In Inca times, Waynapata was a key meeting spot for young warriors, called waynas, before they participated in the Huarachicuy ceremony.
This important rite of passage, held in Sacsayhuamán, marked their journey into adulthood. The area also featured military training schools, where these young men honed their skills to serve.
So, Waynapata was not just the “place of the young,” but truly a center of youth, discipline, and growth in Inca and Spanish culture.
Limacpampa – “The Place That Speaks”
Limacpampa, formerly known as Rimacpampa during pre-Hispanic times, was a significant urban area in Cusco.
The Quechua term “Rímac” translates to “the one who speaks,” while “pampa” means “plain,” together signifying “the plain where one speaks.”
This location served as a public square for announcing royal decrees. Chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega referred to it as the “plaza that speaks,” highlighting its role in proclaiming laws for public knowledge.
It also marked the starting point of the royal road to Collasuyu. Throughout the colonial period, the area evolved as the Spanish established their presence in the city.
Stones from the vicinity, for example, were repurposed for colonial buildings, and a road was built connecting Rimacpampa to the Coricancha temple.
Likewise, historian Paulo de Azevedo observed that Rimacpampa developed around what is now Limacpampa Grande, encircled by traditional neighborhoods like San Blas (T’oqocachi), characterized by irregular layouts that adapted to the valley’s slopes.
The area was also known as the “Plaza de Peces,” likely named after Francisco Peces, one of Cusco’s founding settlers.
Later, in the Republican era, Limacpampa emerged as a transport hub. By 1908, a tram system traversed the area, and following the 1950 earthquake, it was revitalized with monuments and walkways. Today, despite heavy traffic, it continues to be a valued historic and cultural site in Cusco.
Choqechaka – “The Golden Bridge”
In pre-Hispanic times, the area we now call Choquechaca was part of the ancient Inca neighborhood of T’oqocachi.
A small river, the Tullumayu—also known as Río Rodadero—flowed through this area, making it important for both homes and the water supply in the Cusco.
During the colonial era, the name Choquechaca likely came from three stone plank bridges built over the Tullumayu stream by two noble Inca brothers named Choque.
These bridges helped people reach their estate, “Urupampachayuq,” located north of the stream near the sacred site of Sapantiana.
In the early 20th century, Choquechaca began to change significantly. In 1914, for instance, city officials covered the Tullumayu stream to improve the city’s look.
Between 1929 and 1930, they worked on reopening blocked streets to connect the Choquechaca and Tullumayu neighborhoods better.
By 1937, Choquechaca still had stones from the riverbed, which made it hard for people and vehicles to move around.
Since then, Choquechaca has seen few major changes, aside from road paving and regular maintenance. Today, it keeps its historic charm while playing an important role in Cusco’s growing urban landscape.
Saphi – “The Root”
The name “Saphi” comes from the Quechua word for “root.” This reflects how important the street has been as a main access point to this city.
Long ago, the Saphi River flowed through this area. It was changed by Inca Emperor Pachacutec when he reorganized the city after the Wari–Chanca peoples left.
As part of this development, a bridge was built to connect what we now know as Siete Cuartones and Calle del Tigre.
This inca architecture spot later became known as the Puente de Santa Teresa. This area was also part of the Inca neighborhood called Huacapuncu, which means “Gateway of the Sanctuary.”
During colonial times, settlers updated the agricultural terraces of Siete Cuartones to fit European-style city life.
While some areas stayed as farms, Spanish settlers, including the well-known Don Diego de Silva y Guzmán, began to move in.
In the Republican era, the street continued to change. In 1923, Mayor Manuel S. Frisancho started the third phase of the Saphi River’s vaulting.
This work extended 350 meters from the Puente de Santa Teresa to the Puente de la Compañía, using stone from the Rumicolca quarry.
By the 1950s, local authorities transformed the former home of a Spanish general into the Saphi police station, highlighting the area’s ongoing importance in our community.
Pumaphaqcha – “The Puma Fountain”
In Inca times, water wasn’t just for drinking—it was sacred. And here on Pumaphaqcha street, there was once a fountain carved in the shape of a puma, the animal that symbolized strength and protection.
Puma is obvious. Phaqcha means waterfall or spring. The Incas came here for ritual purification. Later, during the colonial period, the land was taken over and transformed, but the memory of the sacred fountain lived on through the name.
Teqsecocha – “Lake of Washing” (Maybe)
This peaceful street near the Plaza de Armas has a rich and fascinating history. Its name hints at a different time, even though there is no lake in sight today.
Teqsecocha originates from the Quechua words T’aqsay (to wash or cleanse) and Qocha (lake or pond), meaning “the lake where things are washed.”
This suggests that a spring-fed pool or a ritual washing site connected to the nearby Saphi River once existed.
Conversely, local historian Carreño offers a contrasting perspective: the original name is Tthicsuqqucho, which means “slanted corner.”
He notes that Teqse can also mean “universe” in Quechua, adding complexity to the name’s origins. By examining these differing explanations, we gain a deeper appreciation for the name’s rich meanings.
This also inspires us to imagine what once existed here – a ceremonial pool, a public washing area, or a uniquely shaped street corner.
Atoqsaykuchi – “The Hill That Tires the Fox”
Saving the best for last? Maybe. Atoqsaykuchi is a long, steep climb in San Blas, and its name tells you everything: Atoq means fox, and sayk’uchiy means to exhaust.
Translation? The hill that even tires the fox. And if you’ve tried to walk it, you know it’s not exaggeration. The sculpture’s gone, but the street name (and the steepness) stuck.
The name of our lovely urban area comes from a carved stone on one of the walls along the street. This stone shows little foxes running with their tongues out, which makes us think of their playful energy.
Isn’t that a charming image? Some of our oldest residents share a different story, too. They remember when there was a small forest in the upper part of the area, where skunks lived.
These skunks would sometimes come down and stir up a bit of mischief! Each story adds to the unique character of our community.
Bonus: Qanchipata – “The Seventh Slope”
Here’s a fun one for the math nerds (or just the curious types). In the San Blas district, there’s a street called Qanchipata, from Qanchis (seven) and Pata (place, slope, or terrace).
Why seven? Turns out, it was the seventh street laid out in the area by early residents of San Blas. Simple, logical, and a little unexpected.
It’s like the Incas invented urban planning and still managed to sneak a language lesson into the street signs. When you visit a place like Cusco, the world heritage site city, it’s easy to get swept away by the visuals:
Every stone wall, every market stall, every mountaintop sunset. But what makes this city truly unforgettable is how deeply the past continues to speak in the present.
Streets with such a great essence
The Quechua names etched into signs and carved into memory aren’t just quaint holdovers—they’re living reminders that language, culture, and geography are inseparable here.
And honestly, there’s something comforting about knowing that the Incas didn’t just build roads—they named them with heart, humor, and meaning.
So, next time you’re in Cusco, slow down. Look up. Read the signs. Let the names guide you, not just through the city, but through time.
Now it’s your turn. Have a favorite street in Cusco with a quirky or beautiful name? Heard a legend behind one we didn’t cover? Let us know, we love listening (just like Limacpampa)
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