Cusco: A City of Conquests

Qusqu, or Cusco, or Cuzco is the capital of the Inca Empire with cobblestone streets, Inca stone masonry, and Spanish colonial churches. The city is located in southeastern Peru near the Urabamba Valley. The mountains in the area are rugged and breathtaking. They are challenging to overcome by bike, horse, foot or even bus. This city has been the emerald of culture after culture, conquered and conquered again only to continue to be changed throughout the centuries.

The earliest known culture that occupied the area was the Killke. They occupied the region from 900 to about 1200 AD prior to the arrival of the Incas in the 13th century. The Killkes were highly skilled architects, similar to the Incas, and built massive fortresses, temples and irrigation systems. They built the fortress Sacsayhuaman that overlooks Cusco.



Not long after the Killke built Sacsayhuaman, the Inca came and took over the region that included Cusco and expanded the Killke’s fortress and irrigation systems. Many people believe that the Inca built Cusco to look like a Puma, a sacred animal among the Inca culture.








Cusco became the capital of the Incan empire. The lncan empire was divided into regions which corresponded to the way Cusco was also divided. The four sections were: Chinchasuyu (NW), Antisuyu (NE), Qontisuyu (SW) and Collasuyu (SE).

In 1527, after the death of Emperor Huayna Capac, the empire divided and Huascar, son of Huayna Capac, conquered Cusco. After the city was conquered a third time, the generals of Atahualpa (the last Inca emperor) captured the city. Only nineteen months later, the Spanish conquistadors invaded Cusco.





Francisco Pizzarro, the famous conqueror of Peru, arrived in March of 1534. Pizzarro and his men went to work building over the Inca city. They destroyed many Inca temples, palaces and other buildings. They used the remaining Inca walls as foundations for their new city. The city is a combination of Spanish and Inca structural design.

“Cusco stands on layers of cultures, with the old Tawantinsuyu built on Killke structures, and the Spanish having replaced indigenous temples with Catholic churches, and palaces with mansions for the invaders.” (http://www.cusco.eu/view/spanish-invasion-in-cusco.html)

The Spanish made Cusco the center of colonization and spread of Christianity. They built the Plaza de Armas, or the center plaza, with a church and a cathedral. The city prospered and it became a favorite of the Spanish colonists. Similar to how the Incas built on top of the Killke buildings, the Spanish used the Inca foundations to build their churches, universities, convents and cathedrals.





As I stand in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, I recognize how much it has changed since I was here 10 years ago. I notice that there is a McDonalds, coffee houses and development spreading its long fingers all the way up the rugged mountains. I can’t help but think that the city is now being conquered by Western culture. Just as the Inca conquered the Killke, the Spanish conquered the Inca, and now western culture is conquering this Peruvian city.

However, I recognize that places change with time. I understand that different people come to inhabit this amazing emerald of a city. It is easy to see that some people want to bring a bit of their own culture to their new home. Perhaps we can find a balance of preserving the past civilizations and bringing in new ways of life.

By: Rayna

Discussion Questions:

Do you believe in preserving your own historical culture? If so, why?

How would the world be different today if European settlers did not arrive to South America?

Do you have any suggestions on how Inca culture can preserve their historical significance?