As you may already know, Peru is a country strongly marked by its millenary traditions that have crossed time and are present in the customs of the people, architecture, and archaeological records of different sizes and meanings. And one of the places that most represents the importance of South America culture in the city and region of Cusco.
Cusco is located to the southeast of the also famous Sacred Valley of the Incas and is a great reference within Peruvian tourist routes, as in addition to being the starting point for the majestic inca ruins of Machu Picchu, it is still extremely significant for the preservation of the culture and history of the people of Peru and around the world when it was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1983.
The great challenge for most visitors who come to the city is to deal with the altitude, since it is located at 3,350 meters above sea level, and it is very common for some people to have some discomfort in the first days of the trip.
Therefore, it is also common for some hotels to offer the famous coca tea at their reception or for their itinerary to leave the biggest adventures for the end. However, with the right tips to deal with altitude sickness, it is possible to go through it with more tranquility!
Without a doubt, this is one of the most interesting destinations in the Peruvian Andes, revealing the mixtures between the Inca and colonial periods. The city of Cusco surprises everyone from the first civilizations and we are sure it will conquer you too. Here Viagens Machu Picchu will tell you a little more about this destination so that you can get to know it even before your trip!
Cusco through the time
The region of Cusco was inhabited thousands of years ago, and its lands are mainly marked by the presence of the Incan empire, which was responsible for most of the constructions that we have today. This urban area was designated by the Inca rulers as their imperial capital, therefore, its functions were focused on political and administrative issues, while the valley region was more focused on agriculture and religion.
Over the centuries, already during the colonization process, the Spaniards also identified the importance of the city in the same way, taking it and building with the original foundations, new structures that represented the importance of Cusco for their conquest.
With this small passage of history, it is possible to identify the numerous coherences of the meaning of the word Cusco, derived from the Quechua language, “Qosqo”, which is “navel of the world”, with what happened in the reality of the place for many centuries.
Once in this destination, the best way to get to know it is on foot, exploring each of its streets, which take place on slopes and staircases, and seeing up close its important buildings, the details of the cultural and archaeological riches, the customs of the locals and even the museums of Cusco. It is also on these walks that we find the best museums, squares, churches, and restaurants that are scattered throughout the city, just take a look at the San Blas neighborhood.
In this context, it is necessary to emphasize that exploring Cusco it is possible to identify numerous churches and religious temples that were built centuries ago, attractions that refer to the artistic side of the city, especially its architecture, which often mixes the pre- Hispanic with the colonial.
These places cannot be left out of your itinerary, due to their historical-religious importance. The Cathedral of Cusco, for example, has so much grandeur and majesty that it resembles a real castle, with 3 naves and 12 chapels inside, with a mixed style with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque features.
Just in front of the church is the famous Plaza de Armas of Cusco, where meetings and festive and religious celebrations have taken place since the Inca era. The square also mixes the characteristics of the passage of time with modern and ancient touches, in a pleasant landscape for those who know it.
The main attractions ideal to be part of a historical-cultural itinerary, such as the museums of Cusco, are in the Historic Center of Cusco, which holds much more than you can imagine!
Legacy kept in stones
In addition to the buildings found in the city of Cusco, the entire region surrounding the ancient capital of the Incas, especially in Urubamba Valley, is filled with numerous archaeological sites that tell a little more about the history of the ancient civilizations that inhabited these lands, in addition to their religious habits, ceremonies and beliefs, political strategies and many other aspects. In this section, you will get to know some of the main temples built stone by stone in this fascinating region in the middle of the Andes.
Concerning ancient buildings, the Qoricancha temple is established as the oldest religious building. In the Quechua language, Qoricancha means “golden enclosure” and would have housed one of the main temples of worship to Inti, the Sun God.
This is an incredible example of the ingenuity mastered by the Incas, who built Qoricancha with carved stones one by one and made its bases and angulations that withstood centuries of earthquakes.
Although it was of such importance, during the period of colonization, Qoricancha was taken, looted, and partially destroyed by the Spanish, who used its foundations for new buildings in the area. Today the site reveals its mixed architecture to its visitors.
Another interesting place to visit is the temple of Sacsayhuaman, an imposing architectural complex surrounded by a polished wall almost 400 meters long. It is a place where, every year, on the winter solstice, the festival of the Sun takes place, a ceremony of thanksgiving to the Sun God, where the cultural expression of the local people is revealed with colorful costumes and typical dances.
The devastation of Sacsayhuaman has made it difficult to understand more about the site’s possible purposes, however, some researchers believe the theory that it may have served as a fortress, control center, and even armies training.
Following the line of religious temples, Qenqo was also a place for gratitude ceremonies to the Sun God, where even sacrifices took place during the Inca empire. This is a temple also built with carved stones, however, which were laid using clay. Its final shape resembles a cave. In the center of the temple is a stone table and, on top of the rocks, it is possible to observe some figures that represent important animals within the Andean cosmology.
To learn more about Inca history, there are many other Cusco tourist spots to visit, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Tambomachay, Chinchero, Moray, and many others, up to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The names can be difficult to pronounce at first, but each one of them carries an important part of our culture, religion, and architecture, making it a true open-air museum.
Cusco beyond the stone
In addition to the numerous stone buildings that marked the beginnings of Cusco’s history, other buildings are still filled with all the culture and vivid customs of the residents who inhabit the city.
An emblematic example of this location is the Mercado San Pedro, the largest local food supply center. Here it is possible to have contact with food, and artisanal products, with the Spanish language spoken everywhere, in addition to other tourists who are visiting the city.
The Municipal Market of Cusco is a great place to shop for the most varied types of Peruvian products, including fruits, vegetables, and Andean products. The experience in this place is also valid for all the coexistence with the inhabitants of the region.
Did you like to know a little more about Cusco? Don’t miss the opportunity to experience every detail of the ancient capital of the Incas live and in color! Contact us and tell us all about your dream trip. Discover our packages to Peru and make it a reality, always thinking about your interests and needs.