Cusco or Cuzco [d] (Latin American Spanish:; Quechua: Qosqo or Qusqu, both pronounced) is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Sacred Valley of the Andes mountain range and the Huatanay river. It is the capital of the eponymous province and department.

Mar 2, 2025 · Formerly the capital of the extensive Inca empire, it retains much of its highly crafted early stone architecture, which is typically preserved in the foundations and lower stories of Spanish colonial structures. Cuzco was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

On June 19, 1540, a royal decree granted Cusco the status of city, coat of arms and the title of "cabeza de los reynos del Perú" (head of the Kingdoms of Peru) and "muy noble, leal y fidelísima gran ciudad del Cuzco" (very noble, loyal and very faithful great city of Cuzco).

Jan 30, 2015 · Cuzco (also Cusco or Qosqo) was the religious and administrative capital of the Inca Empire which flourished in ancient Peru between c. 1400 and 1534 CE.

The Historic Centre of Cusco (Spanish: Centro histórico de Cusco, CHC), [1] is the historic city centre of the Peruvian city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire.

The City of Cuzco maintains the spatial organization and most buildings from the ancient Inca Empire capital and the Viceroyalty. Along its streets and squares, it shows its original urban and architectural characteristics.

At the breath-taking elevation of 11,200 feet (roughly 3,400 m), the city of Cuzco was not just the capital of Tawantinsuyu (“Land of the Four Quarters,” the Inka name for their empire in their native language, Quechua). It was an axis mundi —the center of existence—and a …

Enjoy Cusco’s nightlife in its dozens of bars, discotheques and restaurants. We help you plan your trip! The great Inca Empire is not dead: it lives in every wall and stone palace in Cusco, side by side with the impressive viceregal architecture.

Nov 8, 2024 · Cuzco sits high in the Andes Mountains, with a history over 3,000 years old. It was the heart of the Inca Empire, a city full of ancient stories. At 3,395 meters (11,100 feet) high, it was the center of the Tawantinsuyu, a vast empire in South America.

Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with distinct religious and administrative functions. It was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production.