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The sacred city of Cusco: Cusco is one of the cities more visited by tourists of different parts of the world. It is meeting in a fertile valley taken a bath by the waters of the rivers huatanay and tullumayu. The streets are narrow and the constructions made of stones. The Inca Pachakutec was the most remarkable ruler, during his reign. The Inca Empire was extended and reorganized: the city of Cusco, destroyed at that time by a devastating earthquake, was completely reconstructed and embellished and the great complexes of Sacsayhuaman, Pisaq, and Ollantaytambo were built.
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History: Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire which extended through the west coast and highlands of the South American continent. It and its surroundings were the first settlement of the Incas, it happened on early 13th century. From that moment, the Inca people developed a kingdom and later an Empire by conquests and wars, but also by agreements with other kingdoms in the Southern highlands (Titicaca Lake), west coast, and Northern coast and highlands. Finally, in early 16th century, it was a big Empire, but the arrival of the Spaniards and the later conquest of the Incas by the Spanish Crown, cut its development.
In 1533, the Spaniards arrived to Cuzco and founded their own city over the Inca city. They destroyed the palaces and temples of the Incas to build on top their churches and mansions. In colonial times, Cuzco was a very prosperous city thanks to agriculture, livestock breeding, the mining and commerce. The artisans of Cuzco became famous thanks to its painting and wood-carvings. Nowadays, their art can be seen in museums in Cuzco, the same as historic buildings as the Cathedral, La Compania Church, Santa Catalina convent, etc. places that can be visited during the day.
It are many archaeological sites that can be visited in the city, its surroundings, and in another locations like the Urubamba Valley. The main one in the city is the "Koricancha" (Golden temple), it was the most important temple at the Incas times. Unfortunately, it was partially destroyed by the Spaniards to build a church and a monastery on top, but some remains as chambers, rooms and walls are still on feet. Other ruins close to the city are Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Tambomachay. The most interesting is the first one, it looks like a fortress with three large walls of huge stones of 9 meters (30 ft.) height and 350 tons of weight. It was built on the top of a hill beside the city, with a zigzag shape to worship the lightning god.
Other spots are Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Urubamba Valley or Incas Sacred valley. The first one is a temple built on top of a mountain. You can get there hiking (one hour uphill) or by car. There is the remains of a temple, with perfect rooms and chambers, it's also a storehouse, a fortress and a place for the priests. In Ollantaytambo is another huge temple built on the slope of a mountain.
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