Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, has a rich history that reminds us of pre-Inca settlements (Killke culture), but became the political and spiritual center of the Andes from the 13th century, under rulers such as Pachacútec, with Corican urban planning in the form of a puma. Following the Spanish conquest in 1534, the modern city was founded on the Inca foundations, creating a unique fusion of cultures that has led to it being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inca Era (c. 1200 - 1534)
Foundation: Legends speak of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, but archaeologically associate its rise with Pachacútec, who transformed it into a great imperial capital.
Capital of the Empire (Tahuantinsuyo): Cusco was the "navel of the world", from where its four (regions) of America's largest empire extended.
Urbanism: Designed like a cougar, it housed specialized neighborhoods, temples (Coricancha) and palaces, and was a center of power and cosmopolitanism.
Architecture: Famous for its perfectly recessed, earthquake-resistant stone walls and stunning Sacsayhuaman-like structures.
Conquest and Colonial Era (1534 – 1821)
Spanish Arrival: Francis Pizarro conquered Cusco in 1533, founding the Spanish city in 1534 on the Inca.
Cultural Fusion: Churches and convents (such as Santo Domingo on the Coricancha) were built on Inca temples, creating a unique mixed-use architecture.
Rebellions: Cusco was the center of significant uprisings, such as the rebellion of Túpac Amaru II in the 18th century.
Republican Era and Recognition
Independence: Peru gained independence from Spain in 1821, with Cusco playing a key role in the emancipation struggles.
World Recognition: Declared "Archaeological Capital of America" (1933) and "Cultural Heritage of Humanity" (1983) by UNESCO, consolidating as the historical and tourist capital of Peru.
Natural Disasters: A strong earthquake in 1950 devastated the city, but its cultural richness has enabled a reconstruction that preserves its essence.
