City Tour
Qoricancha or Temple of The Sun
Temple of the Sun and main center of the Inca religion. The Catholic convent of Santo Domingo was built over the base of the ancient Inca Temple of the Sun (Inti), where the main altar of “Punchao” ( Antrpomorphus Image of the Sun ) was once located. in the andean cosmovisión. To the western side still remains a part of the famous rounded wall with a trapezoidal niche in the inner part like an altar.
According to the legend the entire complex was covered with 700 hundred solid golden flakes, each one with a weight of 2 Kg , and adorned with many jewels and golden artifacts.
Cusco Cathedral
Located at the Main Square or “Plaza de Armas”, the Cusco Cathedral was originally built over the base of the Inka Temple “Suntur Wasi“ (House of God). The inside part were decorated in the style of the Renaissance with enormous paintings with the frames carved in cedar wood. The chorus, pulpit and furniture were carved on cedar wood and many altars were covered with Golden and silver leaves.
Sacsayhuaman Fortress.
Sacsayhuaman (the satiated hawk) is an impressive Inka fortress located at 2 Kms. Northwest from Cusco , only a short walk from the Plaza de Armas. The most noteworthy part is the huge wall built in a zig-zag shape with big boulders of grey granite, some stones weighing up to 19 tons. Sacsayhuaman was a Sun Temple and Fortress where very important religious ceremonies took place.
Q’enq’o. (Laberinth)
Sacred Inka prayer site located at 3 Kms. from the city and an elevation of 3,600 mts. ( 11,800 ft ). The original name of the site has been lost, the current name is Q'enq'o, a Quechua word that means “Laberinth”, ”Twisted” or “Zig-Zag”. The site consists of an amphitheater surrounded by a circular wall which was possibly used to hold artefacts or mummies for ceremonies. On the lower part there is big Boulder Rock where a narrow passage way is carved, possibly the “Sacrificial Chamber” where human and animal sacrifices may have taken place.
Puka Pukara. ( Red Fortress)
An archeological site at 8.5 Kms. from Cusco , built in a very strategical place on a mountain. The fortress was supposed to protect Tambomachay, an important palace in Inka times, and also used as checkpoint for travelers who were going to the Inka Imperial City of Cusco.
Tambomachay or Tampumach’ay ( Incas Bath )
Compound quechua word that comes from Tampu=Lodge - Mach'ay= Resting Place . According to many chroniclers it was an exclusive retreat and hunting lodge for the Inka. Even today in the surrounding mountains there are many wild animals such as deer, pumas, foxes, partridges etc. This site is also known as the Inkas bath or liturgical fountains because of the three ceremonial water fountains located there.
