Known to the incas as the "navel of the world" , cusco is still an exciting and colorful city, built by the Spanish on the remains of Inca temples and palaces, and as rich in human activity today as it must have been at the height of the empire.
Enclosed between high hills and dominated in equal degree by the imposing ceremonial centre and fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the white Christ figure, it's one of the South America's biggest tourist destinations, with its thriving culture, substantial Inca ruins and architectural treasures from the colonial era attracting visitorsfrom every side of the world. As the imperial capital during Inca times. Cusco was the most important place of pilgrimage in South America, a status it retains today. During Easter, June and Christmas, the city centre becomes the focus for relentless fiestas and carnivals celebrated by extravagant processions bringing together a vibrant blend of pagan pre - Columbian and Catholic colonial cultures. The throngs of tourists coming and going from Cusco often fillevery plane, bus and train in and out of the city, so it's important to book onward tickets a good few days before you intend travelling.
Enclosed between high hills and dominated in equal degree by the imposing ceremonial centre and fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the white Christ figure, it's one of the South America's biggest tourist destinations, with its thriving culture, substantial Inca ruins and architectural treasures from the colonial era attracting visitorsfrom every side of the world. As the imperial capital during Inca times. Cusco was the most important place of pilgrimage in South America, a status it retains today. During Easter, June and Christmas, the city centre becomes the focus for relentless fiestas and carnivals celebrated by extravagant processions bringing together a vibrant blend of pagan pre - Columbian and Catholic colonial cultures. The throngs of tourists coming and going from Cusco often fillevery plane, bus and train in and out of the city, so it's important to book onward tickets a good few days before you intend travelling.
Despite the seemingly complex street structure, it doesn't take long to corner to grips with Cusco. The city divides roughly into at least five main zones based around various squares, themples and churches, with the Plaza de Armas at the heart of it all. Zone one starts along the broad Avenida Sol running downhill and southeast from the corner of the plaza by the university and Iglesia de la Compañia towards the Inca sun temple at Koricancha.
Machu Picchu is one of the greatest of all South American tourist attractions, set against a vast, scenic backrop of dark-green forested mountains that spike up from the deep valleys of the Urubamba and its tributaries. The distant glacial summits are dwarfed only by the huge sky. With many legends and theories surrounding the position of Machu Picchu, most archeologists agree that the sacred geography and astronomy of the site were auspicious factors in helping the Inca Pachacutec decide where to build this citadel here at 2492m. The name Machu Picchu apparently means simply Old or Ancient Mountain.
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