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PERU, LAND OF THE INCAS
This famous town, whose origin dates from many centuries ago and
which was the seat of the Inca Empire’s Government, is
situated in the southern highlands of Peru.
Not much is known about Cusco before the Spanish Conquest except some
old stories told from generations to generation. It is
said that the city of Cusco was founded around the 11th
and 12th century by Inca Manco Capac. Legend
has it that he and his sister-consort Mama Ocllo rose
from the waters of
the Sacred Titicaca Lake.
According to some historians, the name comes
from the Quechua word “ccosco” which means center or
pivot of the four Suyos, or regions, into which the
Tahuantinsuyo empire was divided. This latter included
parts of Ecuador,
Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.
The Inca society
was an admirable example of socio-political
organization thanks to its people’s great knowledge of
architecture, hydraulic-engineering, medicine,
agriculture, among other fields.
Cusco
is the Archeological Capital of the Americas and a
national monument. On March 23 of 1534, the Spanish
Conquistador Francisco founded
a Spanish city on Inca buildings and stone walls
of the original Cusco. Thus, Cusco has then been a
typical sample of cultural fusion inheriting great
architectonical monuments as well as priceless art
masterpieces.
During the colonial times, important rebellions
against Spanish dominion took place in Cusco. One of
them was led by Jose Gabriel Condorcanqui (Tupac Amaru
II) in 1781, another by the Angulo brothers and the
Pumacahua brothers in 1814. The Republic began in 1825,
since then, Cusco has been renowned not only for its
archeological monuments but also for its people.
Elevation:
3,400 meters
(11,204
feet)
MEANS
OF ACCESS
·
BY
LAND: Cusco
is connected to different cities of the country
by highways. If you are starting off from Lima,
the best route to get to Cusco is via Arequipa
and Puno (1,687 kms.and a 2 days trip). Take the South Panamerican Highway up to Arequipa where you can take the Juliaca-Cusco train. The highest point during the trip is ’’La
Raya’’ at 4,378 mts. above sea level and located
between Cusco and Juliaca.
However,
there are two other routes:
·
Lima-Nasca-Puquio-Chalhuanca-Abancay-Cusco (1,140 kms.)
·
Lima-Huancayo-Ayacucho-Abancay-Cusco (1,162 kms.)
We
do not recommend these two routes in rainy seasons.
Bus Services:
Cruz
del Sur
·
BY
AIR :
There are daily flights to Cusco from Lima and other
cities of the country. The airport is 3 kms. From the
city itself, but there are cabs and bus services to go
to town.
·
Plane Services:
Aerocontinente, LAN
·
BY
TRAIN:
Cusco can also be reached by train. There are departure
from Arequipa via Juliaca in an around 20 hours trip and
from Puno, about 10 hours.
·
Train Services:
WHAT
TO SEE
IN
THE CITY:
Plaza
de Armas (Main Square). Called Huancaypata, cries in the local tounge,
possibly due to the to expressions of veneration or
submission made during religious or military ceremonies
in the place. Legend has that this square was traced by
founder Inca Manco Capac as the symbolic center of the
Empire.
The
Cathedral.
This Cathedral was begun in 1560 on the bases of
the Incas Viracocha’s palace. It is a true museum of
the Cusco School paintings and its altar is plated with
silver. The sacred monstrance of the temple is made of solid
gold and adorned with pearls, diamonds, emeralds,
amethysts, rubies, topazes and brilliantes.
La
Compañía de Jesus Church. It dates back to the 17th century and is located at the
Plaza de Armas. It was built
on the remains of the great Amaru Cancha Palace
which belonged to the Inca Huayna Capac. It houses
valubles paintings from the colony as well as wood
scultures carved with images of saints.
La
Merced Church. Dating back to the 17th
century, this church is located in a small square
bearing the same name. It is one of the oldest and most
beautiful temples throughout Peru, housing beautiful
altars and retablos, and a large gold monstrance
encrusted with large pearls, 1,518 diamonds and other
precious stones, considered the most beautiful and
artistic gold masterpiece in the city.
San
Francisco Church. This is located in the square bearing the same name. The church and
convent of San Francisco is an exponent of carving and
paintings from the 17th century. In fact, it
has most complete pinacotheca of all the convents.
Santa
Clara Church. The first monastery founded in Peru, this is located on the avenue
bearing the same name. Although the outside is plain
architecturally speaking, the inside houses mirrored
altars.
Santa
Catalina Church. The temple and monastery was built on the based of Incaic walls of
the Acllahuasi (House of the Virgins for the Sun).
Santo
Domingo Church. Built on the walls of the famous Inca temple of Coricancha,
this was the most damaged religious building in the
earthquake of 1950. All the architecture is in fact,
very plain, but the tower is beautiful and well kept.
San
Blas Pulpit. This famous pulpit is found in the parish church San Blas, in the
most typical quarters in Cusco. Artistic work has turned
it into the gem of colonial carvings.
San
Cristobal Church. An adobe building with stone towers on an
esplanade next to the ruins of Colcapata. Inca Paullo,
son of Huayna Capac, founded this church after his
conversions into Christianity.
San
Pedro Church. It is said that stones from the Inca fort in Cerro Picchu were used
in the construction of this church with a three-part
Baroque-style facade. Two harmonious towers rise on the
top of the sides.
Colonial
Mansions -
Casa
de los Cuatro Bustos. This mansion is located in San Agustin street. Its
portal is adorned with four busts (origin of the name),
a large and a small escutcheon. At the present, this
mansion is part of the Libertador Hotel.
Casa
de los Marqueses de San Juan de Buena Vista y Rocafuerte.
This
mansion was built on the bases of the Inca Roca’s
Palace and is located between Jatun-Rumiyoc and Herrajes
street. Its portal is simple, with Baroque style columns
.
Manor
House where Inca Garcilazo de la Vega was born. This
mansion is located at the corner of two streets, Coca
(now known as Garcilazo) and Heladeros, at Cusipata (or
Regocijo) Square. It houses a great number of colonial
art masterpieces and is now the Regional Historical
Museum and
the National Culture Institute.
Palacio
del Almirante. This mansion belonged to the Admiral Francisco Aldrete Maldonado in
the 17th century.
Its located at the Plaza de Armas and on the Almirant
slope. It has beautiful coffered ceilings and in the
yard, there are busts on each column. At present, this
mansion is the Cuscos Regional Museum.
OUTSIDE
THE CITY:
Sacsahuaman
Fortress. Just 4 kms. from the city of Cusco rise the immense walls of this
fortress built of large blocks of stone. The walls are
arranged in zig zags on three platforms with an average
length of 360 meters. The platforms are linked by
flights of stairs and doorways also made of stone. These
blocks can measure 9 meters high and 5 meters wide.
Kencco
Amphitheater. These ruins are just 5½ kms. to the east of the city of Cusco
following the same route to Sacsahuaman. There you find
a huge block of stone of 5,9 meters high cut like a puma
and images of this animal are found in passages,
channels and staircases too; that is why , it is said to
have been a worshipping place.
Puca
Pucara Red Fortress. Going on the Sacsahuaman route, you will find this fortress just 10
kms. from the city of Cusco. In fact, it is made up of
terraces, staircases, passages, large fortified towers,
vaulted niches, platforms, etc.
Tambomachay.
“Worship of Water” in the local tongue, this
Inca resort is 7 kms. from Sacsahuaman and 3,700 meters
above sea level. It is formed by four levelled walls
linked by stairs and adorned with crystalline
waterfalls. It is said to have a water-worshipping place
in the Inca times.
THE
SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS:
Pisac.
3
kms. from Cusco and 2,971 meters above sea level, native
and occidental elements mingle here turning it into a
unique and typical town. On Sundays, there are fairs
selling handcrafts by dwellers from different
communities. There is also a traditionl Mass said in
Quechua and attended by “Varayocs”,
native mayors. In the higher parts of the mountains, you
can find an Archeological Park with remains of pre-hispanic
settlements with interesting archeological works, such
as Intihuatana, terraces and large fortified towers.
Yucay.
A beautiful valley with mild climate at 48 kms. from
Cusco. There you find a stone and adobe palace with
decorative designs dating back to Inca times. Yucay used
to be an important agricultural center.
Urubamba.
78 kms. from Cusco via Pisac and 57 kms. from
Chincheros. This town bears the same name of the river.
Another important agricultural center in pre-hispanic
times, its valley is fertile and welcoming. Tourists can
stay overnight here for outings in the area.
Ollantaytambo.
97 kms. from Cusco, this pre-hispanic fortress towers
the valley majestically. It is made up of temples,
terraces and has a complete system of drainage and
irrigation channels.
Chincheros.
28 kms. from Cusco and 3,762 mts. Above sea level. On
the modern highway leading to Chincheros, you can see
year round snowcapped mountains, Chicon and La Veronica.
This town is interesting for its unusual architecture as
a result of Spanish Andean fusion. There is a church
built in the late 16th
century housing colonial paintings. In the
colorful Sunday fair, you cas see native people from
different towns trading and bartering diferrent
products.
OTHER
PLACES TO SEE:
Oropesa. This
picturesque town is located at 24 kms. south-west of the
city of Cusco. It could be named “The Bread Land” as
people here make very delicious bread in rutic ovens.
Piquillacta.
This
town is located at 29 kms. south of Cusco and is
considered one of the most important civil monuments
left by the Incas. It has an area of 63 hectares and is
surrounded geometrically by terrapleins and walls
encloising original tall buildings. The walls are made
of small stones held together by compact clay, thus,
this town was possibly used for storing agricultural
products; or else had a defensive purpose.
Andahuaylillas.
Here
you find the so called “Sistine Chapel of Peru”. The
outside of the church founded in 1580 is very simple,
which contrasts with the colonial Baroque style inside,
endowed with golden altars, walls, paintings and many
colored ceilings. Andahuaylillas is 39 km to the south
of Cusco.
Viracocha
Temple. 118 kms. from Cusco, this is the greatest pre-hispanic
sanctuary.
THE
CUISINE
In such a traditional place like Cusco, tourist will find a great
variety of local dishes forming part of the welcoming
atmosphere. Some of them are:
Queso
Kapchi.
Best in November and December. It is made with
green broad beens, boiled potatoes, milk, red or yellow
aji (chili) and cheese.
Timpo
or Puchero. Served on Carnival Tuesday. Soup prepared with meat, lamb
head, bacon and animal feet. Cabbage leaves, potatoes,
chicpeas and rice are added to the mixture. In another
pot, sweet potatoes, peaches, pears and maniocs are
boiled. All served together.
ChuñoCola.
This dish is eaten all year round. It is a kind of
meat soup, with sausages, rice, chicpeas and potatoes
and is thickened with chuño (dried potatoe flour).
Rocoto
Relleno.
Hot bell pepper filled with minced meat, peanut,
raisins and green peas, then coated with beaten eggs and
fried. Served with browned potatoes.
Pepian
de Conejo (rabbit) or Cuy (Guinea pig). Dish
prepared with rabbit or Guinea pig chunks sprinkled with
ground maiz; seasoned peanut bits are added to the
chunks which are then fried. Served with rice abd boiled
potatoes.
CALENDAR
OF FESTIVITIES
FEBRUARY.
-
Carnival
of
Qoya
MARCH-APRIL.
- Holly
week
MAY.
-
Festivity
of the Cruz de Velacuy
- Festivity Tres Cruces
JUNE.
- Corpus Christi
- Raqch'i Festival
- Qoyllur Rit'i
- Inti Raymi
JULY
-
Festivity
of the Virgen del Carmen
- Condor Raqch'i
DECEMBER
- All
Saints’ Day
- Santuranticuy
Fairs
through out the year:
Saturdays:
Baratillos
in Cusco
Thursday
and Sundays:
Fairs in Pisac
Sundays:
Fair in Chinchero
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ANY PARTICULAR TRIP OR GUIDING SERVICE,
CONTAC US.
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