Cusco was once the capitalcity of the legendary Inca Empire, and it still bears the mark of thisextraordinary pre-modern civilisation. Although its proximity to importantsites such as Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas makes it anattractive base for travellers exploring the region, Cusco is more than just agateway town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has plenty of interest and charmin its own right.
The city was founded in analluvial valley on the edge of the Andes, ringed with fertile agriculturalland. Cusco, under the Incas, was a sophisticated urban centre at the heart ofa truly ambitious empire. When the Spanish invaded in the 16th century, thebasic structure of the city was preserved, and Cusco still bears the imprint ofits tumultuous past: a past sustained by memorable legends and breathtakingarchitecture.
In Cusco’s remarkable citycentre, traditional Quechuan culture blends with Spanish colonial design andthe modern Peruvian life. Walk its cobbled laneways, and explore its charmingneighbourhoods. Take in the dress and the customs of the local population,which is largely indigenous. Keep an eye out for groups of men playing thetraditional coin-tossing game called Sapo in the city’s bars and cafés.
Stop by the must-see SanPedro Market, which sells pig heads and frogs alongside other more appetising products.Wander into the utterly charming Plaza de Armas for more visitor-friendlyshopping and eating. Cusco also hosts a number of Peru’s most importantcultural institutions, with a number of contemporary art galleries as well asthe Museo del Sitio del Qoricancha, a museum dedicated to pre-Columbiancultures, and the Saqsayhuaman complex of Incan ruins.
Cusco is easily reached bybus or train from other Peruvian locations. International visitors shouldarrive in Lima or Arequipa and connect from there, making sure to enjoy thescenery on the trip through rural Peru. The city’s elevation means thatvisitors may take a few days to acclimatise to the thin Andean air, and somemight experience altitude sickness.
