Cusco

Cusco, also known as Cuzco, is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Sacred Valley of the Andes mountains. It lies close to the Huatanay and Urubamba rivers and is the capital of both the Cusco Province and the Cusco Department. With a population of around 428,450 people in 2017, it is the seventh-most populous city in Peru and the largest city in the Peruvian Andes, sitting at an elevation of about 3,400 meters.

The city has a rich history, beginning in the 12th century as the capital of the Inca Empire. In 1534, after the Spanish conquered the region, they built the city over the ancient Inca monuments. In 1983, UNESCO named Cusco a World Heritage Site, calling it the "City of Cusco." Today, it is a major tourist destination, with over two million visitors each year. Many people visit Cusco to travel to nearby Incan ruins, including the famous Machu Picchu, one of the seven modern wonders of the world. The Constitution of Peru from 1993 officially names Cusco as the Historical Capital of Peru.

Spelling and etymology

The original name of the city is Qusqu, which comes from the Aymara language. The name means "rock of the owl" and is linked to an ancient legend about the Ayar siblings who founded the city. According to the story, one of the siblings, Ayar Oche, grew wings, flew up into the sky, and then turned into a stone to mark the spot where the city would be built.

When Spanish explorers arrived, they adopted the local name and wrote it as Cuzco. Over time, the spelling changed, and today the city is commonly known as both Cusco and Cuzco. There is no single official spelling used worldwide.

Symbols

Main article: Flag of Cusco
Main article: Coat of arms of Cusco
Main article: Anthem of Cusco

The Flag of Cusco has seven colorful stripes representing the rainbow. It was introduced in 1973 and later officially adopted by the city. The flag also features a golden sun symbol called the Sol de Echenique, which connects to the city’s history.

The Coat of arms of Cusco was adopted in 1986 and mixes designs from both Inca and Spanish traditions. It includes a golden sun emblem to honor the city’s Inca roots. The Anthem of Cusco was created in 1944 and is sung at public events. It has also been translated into Quechua, showing the city’s rich cultural background.

History

Main article: History of Cusco

The city of Cusco has a rich history that stretches back many centuries. The Killke people lived in the area from about 900 to 1200 AD, before the Inca arrived in the 13th century. They built a large fortress called Saksaywaman around 1100 AD. Later, the Inca made Cusco their capital. They believed the city was shaped like a puma, a sacred animal. The Inca built many impressive structures, though exactly how they moved and placed the large stones remains a mystery.

Cusco became very important under the Inca ruler Pachacuti, who helped turn it into a huge empire called Tawantinsuyu. Sadly, the city faced tough times with civil wars and then the arrival of Spanish explorers. The Spanish took over Cusco in the 1530s, changing the city significantly. They built new structures on top of old Inca walls and turned temples into churches. Despite earthquakes and uprisings, Cusco remained a key center for culture and trade. Today, it is a major tourist destination and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.

Geography

Cusco is located in the central Andes Mountains in southern Peru. It sits at an elevation of around 3,400 meters (11,200 feet). North of Cusco is the Vilcabamba mountain range, which includes peaks up to 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) tall, such as Salcantay.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate, meaning it is generally dry and mild. It has two seasons: a cooler, drier winter from April to September and a warmer, wetter summer from October to March. While frosts and hail can occur, snow is very rare. The city receives a lot of sunshine, especially during the winter months.

Government

See also: Provincial Municipality of Cusco

During the time of the Inca Empire, Cusco was the most important political center, where leaders and religious figures lived. After the Spanish arrived, Cusco lost some of its importance because the new leaders chose Lima as the main city. Still, Cusco stayed significant, becoming the first city in the region to have a bishop and keeping its role as a key location for trade.

In more recent times, Cusco has often supported left-leaning political groups. Leaders like Daniel Estrada Pérez helped organize these ideas under alliances such as the United Left. Even though other parties sometimes won elections in Cusco, right-leaning groups had less influence there.

Demographics

Cusco has grown a lot over time. In the 1840s, around 47,000 people lived there. By 2007, the population had increased to about 348,935, and by 2017, it reached 428,450 people, according to INEI.

Economy

Cusco's economy is based on several activities, including farming, especially growing maize and native tubers, and producing food and drinks like beer, coffee, and chocolates. The most important part of the city's economy is tourism. Since the early 2000s, millions of visitors have come to Cusco each year to see its historic sites and the famous Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Modern Wonders of the World. This tourism helps bring in a lot of money and supports many jobs in the city.

Culture

The city of Cusco is rich in history and culture. Its center still holds many buildings, squares, and streets from pre-Columbian and colonial times. In 1972, it was named Cultural Heritage of the Nation, and in 1983, it became a World Heritage Site.

Cusco’s people speak both Spanish and Quechua, the language of the Quechua people, who are descendants of the Inca Empire. The city has many museums, such as the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, Machu Picchu Museum, and Inka Museum.

Cusco is also known for its special festivals, like the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun, held every June. The most common religion is Catholicism, with many churches and cathedrals, including the large Cusco Cathedral.

Cusco’s cuisine is famous for dishes like chairo, adobo, and cuy (guinea pig). Traditional foods blend Andean and Spanish influences. The city loves football (soccer), with teams like Cienciano and Deportivo Garcilaso playing in top leagues. Cusco also hosts film festivals, such as the International Short Film Festival.

Media

In Cusco, media helps share important local news, educate people, and protect cultural traditions. The city has newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms that serve both Spanish and Quechua speakers. Topics often include local news, culture, tourism, and the rights of indigenous people.

Popular newspapers include Diario del Cusco and Diario El Sol del Cusco (El Sol), with national papers like El Comercio and La República also covering Cusco. Radio stations such as Radio Tawantinsuyo and Radio Universal broadcast talk shows, music, and news. Local television and digital platforms are also widely used.

Main sites

The indigenous Killke culture built the walled complex of Sacsayhuamán around 1100. They also built a major temple, an aqueduct (Pukyus), and roadways connecting ancient structures. Later, the Inca expanded Sacsayhuamán.

In 1535, the Spanish explorer Pizarro damaged much of the Inca city. Today, visitors can still see remains of important Inca buildings such as the palace of the Incas, Qurikancha (the Temple of the Sun), and the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun. Some Inca buildings have proven stronger during earthquakes than modern constructions in Peru. One of the city's most famous colonial buildings is the Cathedral of Santo Domingo.

Nearby, major Inca sites include Machu Picchu, which can be reached by foot via the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or by train, and the "fortress" at Ollantaytambo. Other less-visited ruins are Incahuasi, Vilcabamba, the sculpture garden at Ñusta Hisp'ana, Tipón with its water channels, and many more.

Architectural heritage

Because of its long history, the city center has many buildings, plazas, streets, and churches from colonial times, plus some pre-Columbian structures. In 1983, UNESCO declared Cusco a World Heritage Site.

The city has many notable sights. The Barrio de San Blas neighborhood is full of artisans and workshops. Its narrow, steep streets have old houses built by the Spanish on Inca foundations. The area has a charming square and the oldest parish church in Cusco.

One of the most visited streets is Hatun Rumiyuq, home to the famous Stone of Twelve Angles, a marvel of ancient stonework. The Cathedral of Santo Domingo showcases beautiful colonial style with impressive wooden altars and goldwork. The Plaza de Armas has historic importance and features stone arcades, with the main cathedral and other important churches opening onto it. The Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús is a stunning example of colonial baroque style.

The Qurikancha was once the most important temple dedicated to the Sun God, Inti, in the Inca Empire. Today, only a curved outer wall and some ruins remain, but nearby stands the Convent of Santo Domingo, built using the temple’s stones. Inside, visitors can see many paintings from the Cuzco School.

Main article: Hatun Rumiyoc

Main article: Plaza de Armas (Cusco)

Main article: Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, Cusco

Main article: Coricancha

Infrastructure

Cusco's main international airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, which serves both domestic and international travelers. It is named after a brave Peruvian pilot who was the first to fly over the Andes Mountains. Cusco is also linked by train to cities like Juliaca and Arequipa, and you can take a special train to visit the famous ancient site of Machu Picchu.

The city has many hospitals and health centers, both public and private, to help keep its residents healthy.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Peru

Cusco is twinned with several cities around the world. These partnerships help promote cultural exchange and friendship between the cities.