Cusco

Cusco is a major city located in southeastern Peru. It sits within the Andes mountain range near the Sacred Valley. Two rivers, the Huatanay and the Urubamba, flow near the city. Cusco serves as the capital for both the Cusco Province and the Cusco Department. It is the largest city in the Peruvian Andes. Today, the city is a massive center for culture, economics, and politics.

The history of the city is a complex sequence of different cultures. Before the Inca arrived, the Killke people occupied the region from 900 to 1200 AD. Archaeologists used Carbon-14 dating to study these early inhabitants. They discovered that the Killke built the Saksaywaman fortress around 1100 AD. The Inca later expanded this complex during the 13th century. This site served both military and religious purposes. Excavations in 2007 and 2008 revealed an ancient temple and an aqueduct system.

During the Inca period, Cusco became the capital of the Inca Empire. This empire lasted from the 13th century until 1532. The city was organized into two main sectors. These sectors were the Hanan and the Hurin. Each sector was divided into two provinces. These four provinces were Chinchasuyu, Antisuyu, Kuntisuyu, and Qullasuyu. Each province had its own road leading to the center. Some believe the city was planned in the shape of a puma.

In the 16th century, the Spanish began a period of conquest. Spanish explorers arrived in the city in 1533. Francisco Pizarro officially arrived in November of that year. The Spanish soldiers were astonished by the beauty of the Inca buildings. They noted the extreme delicacy of the stone work. The Spanish eventually took control of the city. They established new government roles, such as Alcaldes and regidores, in March 1534.

The Spanish built a new city using the foundations of the old one. They used existing Inca walls as bases for Spanish mansions and churches. This created a unique architectural mixture. For example, the Santo Domingo Convent was built on the ruins of the Coricancha. The Coricancha was the great Temple of the Sun. This temple was once studded with gold plates. You can still see this blend of styles in the Santa Clara and San Blas neighborhoods.

Cusco has faced significant physical challenges over the centuries. Several earthquakes have devastated the urban area. A very violent earthquake occurred in 1650. This event destroyed almost all of the colonial-era buildings. Because of this, the figure of the Lord of the Earthquakes became very important. The city also faced biological challenges. Smallpox epidemics killed many Inca people during the Spanish colonization.

Today, Cusco is a vital part of Peru's modern identity. The 1993 Constitution names it the Historical Capital of Peru. In 1983, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. The city is a major destination for over 2 million visitors every year. Many travelers use Cusco to reach Machu Picchu. In 2017, the city had a population of 428,450 people. It is the seventh-most populous city in Peru. The Cusco District is the largest, containing about one quarter of the population.