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Cusco is a city where the history of ancient Inca walls coexists with colonial-era architecture and cultural significance in southeastern Peru.
Nestled at 11,200 feet in the Andes, Cusco, surrounded by stunning landscapes, lies in the Urubamba Valley.
Moreover, the city’s name, in the Quechua language, means “navel” or “center,” emphasizing its central role in the Inca worldview.
In 2017, the city’s population reached 428,450, ranking it as the seventh most populous in Peru.
Furthermore, Cusco is also a major hub for tourism, and the city covers an area of approximately 385 km2.
Additionally, Cusco is considered a gateway to Machu Picchu, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other historical significance.
Inclusion in the list reflects Cusco’s role as a center of political, administrative, and cultural importance during the Inca era.
Historical landmarks and main sites in Cusco include Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas and Machu Picchu.
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Architectural Styles Influenced by Colonialism in Cusco
Buildings often feature intricate stonework, characterized by precisely cut stones fitted together without mortar, reflecting the advanced engineering skills of the Inca civilization.
Moreover, the structures typically boast a rectangular shape, with walls adorned with carvings and niches.
Many buildings are of considerable length, with sprawling complexes like palaces and temples dominating the urban landscape.
Furthermore, the design often incorporates terraces, courtyards, and multiple levels.
Buildings in Cusco utilize locally sourced materials, such as granite and limestone, contributing to their durability and resilience over centuries.
Subtropical Highland Climate in Cusco
Cusco’s subtropical highland climate features distinct seasons.
Winter, from May to September, is dry and temperate with abundant sunshine; the coldest month, July, averages 9.7 °C.
Summer, spanning October to April, brings warm temperatures and ample rainfall, with November at 13.3 °C. Although frost and hail are common, the last snowfall was in June 1911.
Temperature fluctuations range between 0.2 and 20.9 °C, with an all-time range of −8.9 to 30 °C.
July has the highest sunshine hours, akin to the Northern Hemisphere’s January; February, like its August, has the least sunshine.
Notably, in 2006, Cusco claimed the title for the Earth’s location with the highest average ultraviolet light level.
Read also: Ayutthaya Historical Park, an Old Town with Buddhist Temples
From Killke Culture to Inca Civilization and Spanish Conquest
Occupying the region from 900 to 1200 CE, the Killke people built the fortress of Saksaywaman around 1100 CE, as determined by Carbon-14 dating.
Subsequently, in the 13th century, the Inca arrived and later expanded into and occupied the complex.
Led by rulers like Pachacuti, the Incas expanded through conquest, making Cusco their capital.
During this period, many magnificent structures and terraces, such as Sacsayhuamán and Machu Picchu, were built.
The Incas integrated Killke culture, preceding them in Cusco, building upon its aspects.
Inca structures were built on or incorporated Killke sites, showing cultural continuity and evolution.
The arrival of Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, marked a turning point in Cusco’s history.
In 1533, Spanish forces conquered Cusco, dismantling Inca architecture for colonial structures.
Despite this, traces of Inca influence persist throughout the city, creating a unique blend of indigenous and Spanish colonial elements.