Cusco , the ancient centre of the Tahuantinsuyo, is nowadays the capital of the state of Cusco . A place where the magic and mystical come together, it is the starting point for knowing the stunning attractions that are nearby. Cusco is located over the Valley of Huatanay River (10990 feet ).

    
   
   
   
   
   

This city has become an impressive testimony of architectural grandeur, and the cultural and artistic legacy of the Incan Empire and the cultural mixture between indigenous people and Spaniard conquers. In Latin America , Cusco is known as “The belly button of the World”,in the ancient times Cusco was the capital and the most
 
       

important city of the Inca Empire and its administrative, political and military centre. According to ancient legends, Cusco was founded by Manco Capac – the First Inca – by the mandate of his father: the Sun, and then Francisco Pizarro who during the Conquest made the Spanish Foundation of this city in March 23 rd , 1534 .

The Cathedral of Cusco : Renaissance monument located in the main square and placed over an Ancient Inca Temple . Inside the decoration is of the baroque style with splendid work of art like Cuzquenian School painting style. Its chorus and pulpit carved on wood and the beautiful altar in one piece covered by silver sheets..

Church and Santo Domingo Convent (Koricancha ): church belonged to the Dominic order and built over one of the most important Inca temples: Koricancha or temple of the Sun, where it was a place to worship the god Sun. Inside this temple there are work of arts in gold and silver.

La Compañía de Jesus or Jesuit Church : it was built over what was formerly the Amaru Cancha ("Fence of the Serpent") i n 1576, and it is located also at the main square of Cusco . Inside the church the walls are decorated in Cuzquenian School painting style.

Church of La Merced : an architectural monument built in 1536. Its walls and altars are carved and decorated with gold and precious stones like pearls, diamonds, rubies, topazes, etc.

San Blas neighborhood : traditional district of Cuzquenian handicraftsman, famous by its modest church, where there is the Pulpit of San Blas, showing its incomparable Cusquenian art. Nearby you can feel the mystical environment mixed with the music and art… which makes this a great place to visit at night!

Stone of Twelve angles: located close to the Main Square , in one of the walls of Hatunrumiyoc Street . This singular architectural piece grabs your attention and will astonish you with its amazing natural shape, due it having twelve angles that join exactly with the other stones of the building.

MACHU PICCHU Citadel: elected as one of the NEW seven WONDERS of the WORLD in 2007, it is located 4 hours by train from Cusco ( 7644 feet ) and rounded by lush vegetation, with warm and humid weather. After 1911 an American called Hiram Bingham promoted the marvelous attributes of Machu Picchu to the world. It is considered by some specialists as a Fortress and for other as a religious centre. Machu Picchu has amazing buildings, designs, narrow streets and small squares divided into farming, military and housing areas. It is surprising also with its geographic location, on the top of the mountain, where you can arrive from an original and ancient Inca trail or from a road by buses in Aguas Calientes village. Aguas Calientes is accessible only by train.

 

Sacsayhuaman : Located two kilometers from Cusco city is situated over an area of land 3000 hectares in size. Sacsayhuaman was a militar fortress of the ancient Empire. It has terraces layered with big stone walls, which measure about 5 - 9 meters high.

Q'uenqo : or Kenko It was a religious ceremonial centre worshipping the “pachamama” (mother earth). Kenko means labyrinth.

Puca Pucara : That means Red Fortress. Is was a military complex, almost impregnable.

Tambomachay : or the Inca Bath . It was built to worship the element of Water.
Chinchero: A traditional Inca village where local people make fine and detailed work of weaving and ceramic. Chinchero is unique with its Inca walls and its small colonial temple
Raqchi : this archaeological complex is located in san Pedro de Cacha District, in Cusco Department at 11352 fasl on slope of Quimsachata volcano. It is famous for its ruins of the Temple of the Inca god Wiracocha. Its historical remains are unique for being built on base of Kallancas – traditional construction of Inca architectural design.

Ollantaytambo: an administrative, social, farming and religious centre during the Inca period due to its strategic location in the Sacred Valley on shores of Urubamba river. Nowadays is an interesting place to visit where you can appreciate the construction and heritage of the Inca town.

Pisac : Traditional town in the Sacred Valley that keeps lot of its ancient customs such as the Mass of Sundays in Quechua language and the typical Pisac market based on the barter system. Close to the town of Pisac in the high parts of the mountain are located the archeological rests of Pisac where you can get there part of the way by car and then by walking 30 minutes.

Maras Salt Mines : the province of Maras has one of the most important Salt mines of the region. They were worked since the Inca period. They are salt terraces in rectangular shapes and several sizes that decorate and change the scenery with colours and shapes different to the rest of the area.

Moray aqueducts: An impressive archaeological complex formed by a series of steps to form a natural amphitheater shape and it was used by ancient local Inca people for a agricultural laboratory.

Piquillacta: Also known as “fleas land” or “sick people land”, according specialist it was a agricultural civil centre. The ruins are not in good condition; however, some areas have been restored. On this we can appreciate the stuccoes technique on the walls, an unusual process in Incas constructions.