PERU: CUZCO
The Archeological capital of the Americas sublimely combines the Inca legacy with Spanish colonial architecture. History puts Manco Capac founding the city of Cusco around 1,100 AD. The city of Cusco is at 11,150 feet above sea level. In order to speed acclimatization rest for a couple of hours after your arrival by plane from Lima. April to September (winter) is usually sunny and dry with temperatures varying from freezing at night to comfortable during the day as long as you do not stay on the shade. January to March is the rainy season, January and February are the wettest, with comfortable temperatures (during the day and slightly cool at night.)
Legend says that in the beginning the land was in darkness and the great Lord Sun took pity on these wretched creatures and sent to earth his own son, Manco-Capac' to spread civilization and! enlightenment". The goddess Moon sent her daughter Mama OcIlo to be his bride. They appeared on earth emerging from the waters of Lake Titicaca. Manco Capac and Mama OcIlo began a long odyssey searching for the place where to found their kingdom. At length they came to a fertile valley where Manco Capac repeating the test assigned by the Sun plunged his golden staff into the ground, this time it sank deep into the soil and disappeared, where they found their capital and called it Cusco "navel of earth".
January 06: Festival of magical Ollantaytambo
January 20: Cheraje (contest)-Cusco
Easter Monday: Procession of the Lord of Earthquakes
May 2-3: June : Vigil of the Cross -Hilltops with crosses
First week in June: Qouyllur Riti (festival of snows) - Tinqui mountain
June 17: Raqchi Folk Festival.
June 24: Inti Raymi (Inca Festival of the Sun)
July 16; Festival of Virgin del Carmen - Paucartambo
August 14: San Bartolome - Tinta
Last Sunday August: Huarachico Festival -Sacsayhuaman
November 1: All Saints Day (bread dolls) -Cusco
December 24: Santurantikuy (massive celebration of Christmas) Cusco
Saturdays: Baratillo (market) in Cusco.
Thursdays and Sundays: Market in Pisac.
Sundays: Market in Chinchero.
CUZCO: THE SIGHTS
The best place to start exploring Cusco is perhaps the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), the center of solemn parades and great assemblies since Inca times. The Cathedral, built on the place where once stood the palace of Inca Viracocha, mixes Spanish Renaissance architecture with beautiful stone-work. Its construction began in 1,580 and took approximately one century to complete. Among its many treasures are nearly 400 colonial paintings, including those of the "School of Cusco" a very particular style developed by the blending of Inca and Spanish cultures. The single piece of the main altar is completely covered with silver plates. Of the many side altars, a very popular among cusquenos is that of the Lord of Earthquakes, blackened by the innumerable votive candles lit over the centuries. Two other churches are attached to the Cathedral, Jesus Maria, to the left, and El Triunfo, the oldest in Cusco dating back to 1536.
La Compania Church, also in the Plaza de Armas, built in 1571 by the Jesuits at the time of the foundation of Inca Wayna Capac's palace (the last ruler of the unconquered empire). The church was destroyed by the 1650 earthquake, beginning immediately a magnificent reconstruction, resulting in the most ornate and splendid church in Cusco.Museum of Religious Art, displays a fine collection of colonial artifacts and paintings of the 'School! of Cusco" . The building was constructed on the site of Inca Roca's palace. Just outside is the Twelve Angled Stone, an example of Inca architecture advancement that continues to amaze the world, the twelve corner angles fit perfectly all surrounding blocks. The stones were positioned without the use of mortar and have withstood centuries and earthquakes.
Santo Domingo Church and Convent, the most remarkable characteristic of this building is that it was built using some of the Inca walls of the fabulous Koricancha "temple of the supreme God Sun" that colonial chronicles described as having the inner walls covered with gold plates to reflect the sun's rays entering through windows specially positioned for that purpose.San Blas Church, a small adobe building that holds a carving masterpiece, the renowned pulpit of San Blas, work of Indian craftsmen on a massive single piece of wood which is said to be the finest woodcarving piece in the world. Around the church are the houses of the most popular families of handicrafters of Cusco. Visit the Mendivil and the Olave family
La Merced Church and Convent, dating back to the 17th Century. It has a small museum with the best colonial paintings in Cusco, a variety of lavish religious objects including the four feet high gold monstrance, covered with precious stones and two large pearls in the shape of a mermaid. Also within the city the colonial churches of San Francisco, Santa Catalina, Santa Clara, San Pedro, Santa Teresa, and San Antonio Abad and the beautiful colonial houses of "La Casa de los Cuatro Bustos", ''The Admiral's Palace", "House of Marquis of Valleumbroso", among others.The entire area of Cusco bears an exceptional wealth of Inca constructions being the most interesting and accessible those lying north of city. Here stands the massive-fortress of Sacsayhuaman, only 4 Km from downtown Cuzco. Made of large boulders including one weighing 125 tons ranged in a zig-zag shape in three platforms which presently serves as the great scenario for the legendary Inti Raymi Festival (Festival of the Sun) held every year on June 24.
Following the road leading to the northeast you arrive to Quenco (zig-zag) another great example of skillful Inca masonry work consisting of a large limestone covered with carvings, thought to have been used for ritual sacrifices. A mysterious cave with large niches, and an amphitheater facing north with 19 niches are part of the complex. Tambo Machay consisting of a beautiful ceremonial bath, popularly called "bath of the Inka", formed by four leveled walls linked by stairs and adorned with crystalline waterfalls. Puca Pucara meaning red fort - in some lights the rocks look red - this tambo post-house served to lodge travelers and store goods.