Cusco is a city of true beauty, which is regarded as the
'Archaeological Capital of the Americas', with a delightful blend
of indigenous and colonial Spanish architecture. One of the most
impressive architectural attractions are the incredible Inca walls,
created from enormous granite blocks that were carved to fit
together perfectly without the aid of mortar beds. Many of the
walls were simply built upon during the construction of a new
Spanish city. It's a lasting tribute to the ingenuity of the Incas
that their anti-seismic design has survived the test of time,
especially when compared to the Spanish colonial architecture that
has been rebuilt several times following a wave of earthquakes that
have hit the city.
The city's fascinating history dates back to 1200AD and the
first Inca ruler, Manco Capac. Cusco expanded greatly during the
15th century under the rule of the greatest Inca, Pachacutec, who
led a drive that spread the boundaries of the Inca Empire as far
south as Chile and Argentina, and north to include Ecuador and
Columbia. This rapid expansion was halted by the arrival of the
Spanish Conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro who, following the
murder of the Inca Atahaulpa in Cajamarca, marched into Cusco in
1534 and claimed it for King Charles V. This invasion opened the
gates to a cultural mix that has left its imprint on every aspect
of Peruvian culture, and especially in Cusco. One of the first
things you will notice in Cusco is the thin air; the city is
located at an altitude of 3,360 metres above sea level. It is best
to spend the first few hours in the city resting and getting used
to the lower oxygen content of the atmosphere.