Inca culture, high altitude, colorful markets and colonial buildings make Cusco – the capital of the Inca empire – an ideal destination.
Cusco, capital of the Inca empire is located at an altitude of 3400 meters. Upon arrival, you’ll be offered a bottle of oxygen (even hotels include it in their standard amenities), while the locals insist that the best medicine is to chew coca leaves, an activity that’s perfectly legal in Peru.
The city was the capital of the Inca empire from the 13th century until the 16th century, when it was conquered by the Spanish. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic capital of the country. The magnificent churches, fantastic museums and narrow cobbled streets of the historic center are worth at least a few days of exploring. Add to this the stunning Inca ruins both within the city and in the surrounding hills.
The “Plaza de Armas” is the cultural heart of Cusco. During the Inca era, the square was called “Huacaypata” and was the main stage for the most important ceremonies of the Inca empire.
Today, the “Plaza de Armas” exemplifies the city’s hybrid architecture, where pre-Columbian, colonial and modern history are layered on top of each other. The square has many restaurants and bars which are perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon watching the people as you adjust to the altitude. You will see Peruvians playing sapo (a traditional coin game) and drinking chicha (something like beer, made from corn).
It is also worth a walk in the “San Blas” neighborhood. The picturesque ‘Plazoleta San Blas’ is home to the San Blas Church and a picturesque collection of whitewashed brick buildings adorned with cobalt blue balconies and red tiled roofs. This is the heart of the bohemian neighborhood of Cusco, which has existed as a craft zone since the time of the Inca Empire. Today, it remains the preferred residence of local artists who open their workshops to visitors eager to see their religious sculptures, gold and silver metalwork, woodwork and more.
The ‘Mercado de San Pedro’ market has gained popularity with foreign visitors, but is still a great way to observe the daily life of the locals. You’ll see them eating lunch at their favorite kiosk, and you’ll see vendors selling fruit and vegetable towers, cheese heads, and knitted alpaca sweaters. If you want to buy some souvenirs, remember that it is customary to haggle in the market and negotiate the price.
To get to know the Inca culture better, look for the ‘Museo Inka’ (Ataud 154, Cusco) which presents the history of the Inca culture through various exhibitions of ceramics, textiles, mummies, jewelry and more. Learn about the mythical origins of the Inca empire, the history of pre-Incas and Inca settlements in and around Cusco, and the different ecological zones from jungle to high-altitude plains that were linked by ancient trade networks .
