Visit Cuzco (Cusco), Peru (UNESCO site)

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Cuzco is a city in Southeastern Peru and was the site of the historical capital of the Inca Empire. Originally inhabited by the indigenous people of the Killke culture some 900 years ago, the Incas succeeded the Killke in Cuzco about 100 years later. The Spanish explorers devastated the city in 1535 and only a few partially demolished buildings remain as monuments from the Inca period. The ruins of Sacsayhuaman , the site of a battle where the Spanish explorer Pizarro’s men battled the Incas, is just one of the ancient sites that attracts attention. Well preserved colonial architecture abounds in this city, layered with its rich and complex history. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, built as an estate for the Inca Emperor, Pachacuti, is accessible by train and then by foot on a trail leading out of Cuzco. Cuzco has become a major tourist destination attracting visitors from all over the world interested in the artifacts and monuments from its storied past. Museums and galleries abound with the most popular being Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporaneo (Contemporary Art) , Museo Historico Regional (17th and 18th century artwork), Museo del Sitio del Qoricancha (pre-Columbian cultural artifacts and exhibits) and the Museo de Arte Popular (Popular art). The Sun Temple, Qoricancha, sits as a testimonial to Inca architecture as it was a center of worship for the Incas before it was savaged by the Conquistadores who then built their Christian church, Santo Domingo, atop the ruins. Monumento Pachacuteq, a statue of the ancient Inca warrior towering 22 meters high is another often visited site in Cuzco. The Plaza de Armas is the meeting point for tours that take in most of the historical sites and monuments. A visit to Barrio de San Blas (accessible from Plaza de Armas) provides perspective into Cuzco’s most picturesque and lively neighborhood with its streets lined with artisan’s studios and workshops, trendy bars and restaurants and the oldest parish church in Cuzco, Iglesia San Blas with its distinctive architectural elements. The neighborhood also provides the best panoramic vistas of the city. Tours of Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley) provides access to small towns just outside the border of Cuzco for those wishing to become acquainted with their charm and interesting structures. Cuzco is best reached by air from Lima, Peru. Satisfy your dream of visiting the ancient center of the Inca Empire by adding a trip to Cuzco, Peru to your list.

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