Cusco; Cultural heritage of Humanity

Cusco It is the capital city of the department that bears the same name that is located in the southeastern part of the country, encompassing areas of the mountains and jungle. The name comes from the Quechua Qusqu or Qosqo which means center, navel, belt; This is because, according to Inca mythology, the worlds below, visible and superior converged on it. Since then, the city has been called the navel of the world.

When the Spanish conquerors arrived, their name was Castilianized to Cuzco or Cusco. Both names are used until 1993, when the name of Cusco is made official, although in Spanish-speaking countries it is still called Cuzco. On November 15, 1533, the city of Cuzco was founded by Francisco Pizarro, establishing the Plaza de Armas in the location that it preserves until now and which was also the main square during the Inca Empire. Pizarro granted Cuzco the name of Ciudad Noble y Grande, on March 23, 1534.

On December 9, 1983 in Paris, UNESCO declares the city of Cusco as Cultural Heritage of Humanity, making it the most important tourist destination in Peru. The city center preserves buildings, squares and streets from pre-Hispanic times as well as colonial constructions. Among the main attractions of the city are: The San Blas neighborhood where artisans and their craft shops are concentrated, making it one of the most picturesque places in the city; Hatun Rumiyoq Street that leads to the Barrio de San Blas and where you can see the famous stone of the twelve angles.

Equally surprising is the Convent and Church of La Merced where the Renaissance Baroque style cloisters stand out, as well as the choir stalls, colonial paintings and wood carvings; There are also the Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas, the Church of the Company, the Qoricancha and the Santo Domingo Convent.


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