Known as Huacaypata in Inca times, it was an important
ceremonial centre where the Inti Raymi of Festival of the Sun
was held every year. When the Spanish arrived they built stone
arches and the buildings which still surround it.
The Cathedral
The Chapel of El Triunfo was built on top of the old temple of
Suntur Wasi (the house of God). Later, the cathedral was built
on the foundations of the palace of Inca Wiracocha. The
cathedral contains an important collection of paintings from the
Cusco school, as well as repousse silver work.
Although many people for the Classic Inca Trail does
not lose the magic of the ancient Inca Trail tour
and get to Machu Picchu.
Santo Domingo / Koricancha church and convent
Koricancha, principal temple of the sun God, was one of the most
impressive buildings of Inca Cusco, with its walls entirely
covered is sheets of gold. In 1534 the Spaniards built the
Dominican church and convent over it. Both were destroyed by the
1650 earthquake and were rebuilt around 1681.
The twelve corner stone and archibishop´s palace
In Hatunrumiyoq street, a fine example of Inca masonry can be
seen in a wall that formed part of the palace of Inca Roca. The
so-called twelve-corner stone, famous for its perfect fit with
the surrounding stones. This ancient wall then became part of
the archbishop´s palace, a viceregal building with Arabic
influences, which is now the Museum of Religious Art.
Sacsayhuaman archaeological complex
Location: two kilometers north east of the city of Cusco (10
minutes by car).
The best known of its 33 archaeological sites is the spectacular
fortress of Sacasayhuaman, built from gigantic stones weighing
between 90 and 128 tons each, assembled with astonishing
precision. It is said, however, not to have been for military
use, but the most important ceremonial centre of Hanan Qosqo, or
supper Cusco. On the June 24th of June each year it
is the scene of Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun.
City Tour - Highlights of downtown Cuzco
and its area
Half Day
On your Cuzco Peru city tour, you will visit the Cathedral,
Q’oricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay.
We begin this excursion at the Plaza de Armas. In Inca times the
plaza, called Huacaypata or Aucaypata, was twice as large as it
is today. On the northeastern side is the Cathedral.
Construction started in 1559 and took almost a hundred years. It
is one of the greatest repositories of colonial art.
Q’oricancha, our second stop, in Inca times had a courtyard
which was literally covered with gold. The temple walls were
lined up with some 700 solid-gold sheets, each weighing about
2kg. There were life-size gold and silver replicas of corn that
were ceremonially ‘planted’ in agricultural rituals.
We continue to Sacsayhuaman. This huge ruin is the most
important and impressive one in the immediate area of Cuzco. The
name means ‘Satisfied falcon’. The Incas envisioned Cuzco in the
shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuaman as the head.
The ruins of Q’enqo means zigzag, This place has been used for
the ritual sacrifice of chicha (Inca beer) or perhaps blood.
We pass by at Pucapucara, a small site. We finish our tour in
Tambomachay which consists of a beautifully wrought ceremonial
stone bath and is therefore popularly called El Baño del Inca.
This tour is available in Pool Service and in Private Service.
