Qorikancha

Also known as “The gold precinct” the Qorikancha was one of the most respected temples in Cusco where people worshipped the highest Incan god Inti and it also served as an astronomical observatory.

The original temple was built by the first Inka, Manko Qhapaq, but it was enlarged and modernized in 1438 by the Inka Pachakuteq.

It is said that more than 4000 people were living in these walls, and that it was a temple of incredible wealth. Everything was plated with gold and silver and a huge golden disc reflected the rays of the sun and flooded the temple with light. Franciscan monks then built their monastery on top of the Inka temple. When we visit the Qorikancha today we find this monastery and still some of the Inka ruins.

Plaza de Armas

In Incan times Cusco’s Main square was also called Huacaypata which means “Square of the Warrior”. Throughout the history of Cusco it was the setting of numerous important events such as the proclamation of Francisco Pizarro of the conquest of Cusco and the execution of the last Inca Tupac Amaru. It was also the stage for the yearly “Festival of the Sun”, an important ritual event.

The Plaza today with its beautiful arcades, balconies and flower arrangements is a major tourist attraction and invites for sunbathing, reading or just observing the busy city life around the plaza. Around it we find numerous cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Also situated on the square are the Cathedral, that was built on top of the walls of the Palace of the Inca Viracocha from 1560 to 1654 , and a Jesuit church that was built from 1552 to 1668 and provoked several fights in former times, because of its beauty and splendor that exceed those of the Cathedral.

San Blas

In proximity to the Plaza de Armas, we find the district of San Blas that in Incan times was known as the “Artists’ District”, with narrow and steep streets. It was inhabited by the Quechua nobility. The church of San Blas is estimated to have been opened for the first time in 1544. Parts of it had to be reconstructed after earth quakes.

Cristo Blanco

A spectacular view over the city is guaranteed from the view point of the Christo Blanco on a hill high above Cusco , where the white figure of the Cristo guards and watches over the city, shining in the sunlight or illuminated by night.

Around Cusco

Saccsayhuman

2 km from the city. This impressively huge complex is considered the first of the new seven wonders of the world. The Incas called it the House of the Sun and used it as a worship center whereas the Spaniards called it a fortress because of its zig-zag shape. The construction is made up of three platforms one on top of the other and the enormous boulders that form part of the construction were put together without using mortar. The heaviest stone weighs around 125 tons. Archaeologists discovered water arteries, canals and rooms in the complex.

Kenko

The temple of Kenko is located 3 km from Cusco . Its name means “labyrinth” or “zigzag” and it was an important worship center for ceremonies dedicated to Mother earth. It has numerous ceremonial carvings, holes and canals cut into the rock and features an underground chamber that was created by enlarging a natural cave.

Puca Pucara

This construction is located 6 km from Cusco . "Puca" is Quechua and means "Red". "Pucara" means "fortress” or “watchtower”, because it was used as a strategic checkpoint along the road to the Antisuyo (the jungle part of the Inca empire) and was a military and administrative center.

Tambomachay
Located 7 km from Cusco . This site with an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level was known as the "Inca's Baths" due to its reputation as an important center of worship of water. Like in the other worship centers Tambomachay shows an extraordinary architecture and also astonishing hydraulic technology.

Ollantaytambo

This small town is located approximately 60 km northwest of the city of Cusco in the province of Urubamba . Its altitude is 2792 meters above sea level.

Ollantaytambo is thought to be the only remaining example of pre-Columbian architecture. The buildings are colonial houses with thoroughly worked walls of dark pink rock and with courtyards. In Incan times this town had administrative, religious as well as agricultural and military purposes.

Overlooking the town from a hill we find an impressive Incan complex, often thought to be a fortress due to its thick walls. In fact it used to be a tambo (inn), and was strategically located to dominate the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It was here where Manco Inca gathered his armies after the fall of Cusco to the Spaniards.

Pisac

This picturesque village on the shores of the Urubamba River is known for its market every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Other attractions are a large pisonay tree on the central plaza, the sanctuary of Huanca that accommodates a sacred shrine and experiences a flood of pilgrims every September.

In the area around Pisac we also find Incan ruins and agricultural terraces that are still in use today. The village’s name originates from terraces that are supposed to represent the wing of a partridge (pisaca), because these birds are present in the area at dusk.

Machu Picchu

The archaeological complex and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Machupicchu is part of the department of Cusco at 2,400 meters above sea level. It was discovered on July 24, 1911 , by the North American Hiram Bingham, and since then has been considered one of the world's greatest architectural and archaeological monuments. The citadel is built in accordance with the natural topography and it is divided in two sectors that cover an area of 20 and 10 hectars respectively. The construction features squares, temples, palaces, houses and fountains and is surrounded by a series of terraces which had two main functions: to grow crops and to slow down the erosion caused by the rains. Until today archeologists have not been able to unveil the history and purpose of Machu Picchu . It might have been a settlement built as a starting point to expand the Inca regime. Others say has been a monastery.

The complex of Machu Picchu is of astonishing perfection and together with its location in the majestic Andes a place of magic and enchantment.

Tipon

The archeological park of Tipon is located 23 km. southeast of Cusco and covers an area of 227 hectars. It features houses and many water fountains that steadily give water which comes out of secret underground springs. The fountains might have given this complex its original name: the word “Timpuj” is quechua and means "to be boiling" which relates to the water flowing out of the fountains as if it was boiling.

Historians say that Tipon could have been the Royal House of Yahuar Huaca, who retreated here after being defeated by the Chancas.

Maras

The picturesque town of Maras is located at 67 Kms north of Cusco and belongs to the province of Urubamba . In former times the landscape used to be a plateau that allowed the Incas to observe the mountains La Veronica (5,682 meters) and Chikon (5,530 meters).

Maras was a place of abundant wealth and the Spanish colonists carried out most of its treasures.

Its splendor can still be seen today when visiting its church made of adobe and with many valuable paintings.

Another tourist attraction are the salt mines northwest of the city, that have been in use since the times of the Inca until today.
They consist of approximately 3000 small pools that are filled with salt water that rinses from a natural source located at the top of the complex. It takes around one month until the water evaporates and the salt remains.