Cusco
District Guide

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Without a doubt, the beauty and majesty of Cusco are unique. You only have to walk through its streets, to observe the lavish colonial-era houses and exquisite monuments, and you are transported back into the past. Cusco possesses a magic which charms even the most experienced traveler.

Cusco

The best way to make the most of all the attractions in Cusco is to purchase the boleto turistico or "tourist ticket" with which you can access all the important cultural and historical museums and churches. In the center of the city is the Plaza de Armas, which was reputedly designed by the Inca Manco Capac. It is also called Aucaypata, which in Quechua means "warrior square." In the square stands the splendid La Catedral, which took 94 years to build. Next to this are the chapels Capilla de la Sagrada Familia, recently restored, and the Capilla del Triunfo whose walls are adorned with masterpieces from the Cusco School, including works by Diego Quispe Tito.

Ten minutes from the Plaza de Armas is Santo Domingo, and the stunning, extravagant Korikancha, or Templo del Sol ("Temple of the Sun"), believed to have once been covered with gold. In front of the temple is the "Casa de los Cuatro Bustos" now occupied by a hotel. Descending toward Avenida El Sol, you can get another view of the Korikancha and visit the museum.

The Compañía de Jesús, pride of the Jesuit order, is also located in the Plaza de Armas, a block away in Calle Hatun Rumiyoq. This houses the Palacio del Arzobispado, which has some valuable works of art. On this same street, you can observe the famous rock with 12 angles, which was a part of the Inca Roca's palace. From here, it is recommended to go towards the San Blas neighborhood, one of Cusco's most picturesque areas.

Towards the center again, on Calle Mantas, stands La Merced, which houses La Custodia, a grandiose colonial-era sculpture in solid gold one meter high. The Casa Garcilaso has a large collection of Pre-Hispanic and colonial art, and in San Francisco, there is the temple of the same name, with one of the largest paintings in Latin America.

San Blas

Formerly known as Toqocachi (Salt Cave), it was due to the works of artists Mendivil, Olave and Merida that this neighborhood came to be known as the artisans district. Barrio de San Blas is a unique, picturesque area that has recently been restored. When walking through the quaint streets of this magical neighborhood, you can easily imagine yourself in the 19th Century. The church of San Blas has an enormous wooden pulpit carved from a single piece of wood by the Inca artist and architect Tomas Tuyro Tupac.

Urumbaba

Along the Urubamba river, which means "flat land of spiders", you will find the Sacred Valley of the Incas, once the domain where the Inca flourished. The valley is 26 miles long and is a way station for visitors on their trek to Machu Picchu.

Outside of Cusco

On the outskirts of Cusco, many archaelogical sites can be found, such as Sacsayhuaman. This imposing edifice is a wonderful example of late Incan architecture but was left unfinished after the arrival of the Conquistadors. In June, the festival of Inti Raymi, pays homage to the sun and attracts large crowds. Another important site in Incan culture is Quenko, this complex was primarily used for funerary rituals and is another one of the 300 different sites connected to the Temple of the Sun. The temple of Tambomachay is about 35 minutes by car outside of Cusco and is a site which the Incas used as a dedication to the life giving properties of water. The visitor can experience the tranquility of the water falling over the rocks and the quiet trickle of the nearby river. Another interesting archaelogical town that is next to these baths is Ollantaytambo where ancient traditions are still practiced by its inhabitants. For an abundance of flora and fauna in the middle of the Eastern Andean mountains, you will find the Lower Huatanay Valley, this seemingly untouched paradise is also surrounded by lakes. To see these valleys from above, travel to the hills of Tipon and Pucará Pucutupampa, the ruins upon these hills provide excellent views of Cusco and its environs. Finally, a visit to the Cusco area is incomplete without seeing Phuyupatamarca. This archaelogical complex is a stunning outcropping on the side of a cliff which houses a labrythine set of buildings, channels, bridges and walkways. A definite stop on any visitors itinerary.