While browsing around in Flickr, I found this great photograph of the Qorikancha in the city of Cuzco, Peru and felt compelled to write a bit about the city and its history.
The modern day city of Cuzco in the Andes Mountains of Peru was founded, according to legend, by Manco Capac, the first emperor of the Inca civilization. Unlike many ancient capitals, Cuzco was primarily a governmental and religious capital, with few residential structures and it was the Inca capital city from the mid 15th century up until it was conquered by the Spanish in 1532.
The most architecturally interesting structure in the city of Cuzco has to be the one called the Qorikancha. The Qorikancha (also called Intiwasa or Sun Temple) was said to have been built by Manco Capac; but certainly it was built before 1438 when it was enlarged by Pachacuti, who also built Machu Picchu. In the sixteenth century, the Spanish destroyed the Qorikancha and built the Santo Domingo (St. Dominic) Convent and Church on the ruins, but the smooth basalt foundations, typical of Inca architecture, are still extant.
The modern day city of Cuzco in the Andes Mountains of Peru was founded, according to legend, by Manco Capac, the first emperor of the Inca civilization. Unlike many ancient capitals, Cuzco was primarily a governmental and religious capital, with few residential structures and it was the Inca capital city from the mid 15th century up until it was conquered by the Spanish in 1532.
The most architecturally interesting structure in the city of Cuzco has to be the one called the Qorikancha. The Qorikancha (also called Intiwasa or Sun Temple) was said to have been built by Manco Capac; but certainly it was built before 1438 when it was enlarged by Pachacuti, who also built Machu Picchu. In the sixteenth century, the Spanish destroyed the Qorikancha and built the Santo Domingo (St. Dominic) Convent and Church on the ruins, but the smooth basalt foundations, typical of Inca architecture, are still extant.
- Cuzco, Peru, more on the site and its history
- A Walking Tour of Machu Picchu, including an indepth look at Inca Architecture
- Inca Civilization, a definition and timeline
- More Photos of Cuzco, from Bonnie Hamre, South America for Visitors
- Travel Tips to Cuzco, also from Bonnie
- Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas, a special exhibition report from Stan Parchin at About's Art History page
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