Main Square of Cusco
Historical, cultural, military, faith, customs and traditions center. The Plaza de Armas of Cusco is the most important space in the city, located in the center of the city has in its enclosure the Basilica of the Cathedral, the Church of the Society of Jesus, the chapels of Loreto, San Ignacio de Loyola, Del Triunfo and the Holy Family. Having in the center an American style ornamental basin with the crowning of an Inca, vestige of the culture that dominates all South America.
It began as part of a lake, called Morkill, which later became the center of Inca activity when it was drained. According to some traditions, this square was completely covered with sand brought from the Peruvian coast, being crossed by a river, the Saphy (root) river in Quechua. This square encompassed what is now Regocijo Square, La Merced Square and the Plaza de Armas of Cusco today, the testimony of this is the famous “Cuadro de Monroy” located in the Cathedral of Cusco, which testifies to the real dimension of the square. The original name of the square is still controversial among several authors who call it Auqaypata, Wakaypata, Cusipata. This square witnessed the most transcendental events in the history of Cusco, such as:
- The first Corpus Christi procession (which continues to this day).
- The first procession of the image of the Señor de los Temblores (Patron Jurado and the most venerated image of the city).
- Torture and death of Tupac Amaru I and II (heroes of the American Independence)
- It hosted many families during congresses, political rallies and protocol visits.
History of the Main Square of Cusco
Legend has it that Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo arrived here after traveling many kilometers looking for the right place to create the Inca Empire. They had been sent by the god Inti, father of Manco Capac, who ordered them to carry a golden rod and, in the land where it sank, was where the new city had to be founded.
When Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo arrived in Cusco, the place where the Plaza de Armas is now located was a swamp . The goldenrod sank here and the founders of the Inca Empire began to prepare the ground to build what would become their capital.
The Inca Sinchi Roca, successor of Manco Capac, ordered the drying of this swamp to transform the place into the administrative, cultural and religious center of what would become the great Inca Empire.
During the Inca era, the Plaza de Armas occupied a much larger space than we know today, including several places in the surrounding areas. Thus, during this time, the plaza was divided into two parts: Aucaypata or Huacaypata or Huacapata (intellectuals cannot agree on the original name) and Cusipata; which were separated by the Saphi stream.
There were also palaces in the Plaza de Armas that belonged to Incas of great importance, such as Pachacutec, Huayna Capac or Viracocha. It is here that great events were held, such as the famous
Inti Raymi
. On the other hand, this was the starting point of the great network of Inca roads, the Qhapaq Ñan, which connected the entire empire.
As you can see, the Plaza de Armas of Cusco was the representation of the strength and domination of the Incas in the South American region but with the arrival of the Spaniards all this changed.
The Plaza de Armas during the Spanish Conquest
Very similar to what happened to the rest of Peru and America, the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Cusco and devastated everything. After defeating the Incas, Pizarro’s men settled in their palaces in the plaza, destroyed the Inca buildings and, on the ruins, created their own colonial mansions, as well as the cathedral and other religious temples.
In addition, they ordered the erection of several buildings near the stream, consequently eliminating it and separating the old square into three: Plaza de Armas, Plaza del Regocijo and Plazoleta de la Merced.
The execution of Tupac Amaru II in Cusco’s Main Square
One of the most important and striking episodes in the history of the Plaza de Armas of Cusco is the execution of Tupac Amaru II. This Cusquenian character, of both indigenous and Peruvian-Spanish origin, started a rebellion against everything related to Spain and Europe . Although it lasted only a few months (from November 4, 1780 to April 6, 1781), it caused thousands of deaths.
In 1781, Tupac Amaru II was captured and sent to Cusco. There, he was sentenced to execution along with his family and colleagues. After witnessing how his family and friends were killed, the Spaniards tied the arms and legs of Tupac Amaru II to four horses to dismember him. However, the story goes that they could not kill him even in this way. Thus, the Spaniards decided to cut off his head and exhibit it in Cusco as a trophy. They did the same with the rest of his body parts, which they spread throughout different areas of Peru as a warning to those who were thinking of rebelling against the crown.
Cusco’s Main Square Today
Today, the Plaza de Armas is one of the main tourist attractions of the city of Cusco. Here are several religious temples (the cathedral, the Church of the Society of Jesus and the Chapel of Triumph), accompanied by beautiful portals with colonial arches.
If you are lucky, the Plaza de Armas will welcome you with events where you can enjoy traditional dances and Cusquenian music from pre-Hispanic times to the present.
You will also find different restaurants, cafes and breweries around the Plaza de Armas where you can enjoy the flavors of Peru with the most amazing views. Take a close look at every detail of this square, now you can discover the stories hidden in every corner!
Attractions:
Minor Basilica of the Cathedral of Cusco:
The most important and transcendental religious precinct of the city of Cusco, in whose interior are some of the most venerated, respected and important images of the city. This cathedral complex consists of 3 buildings, which are the Triumphal Chapel, the Cathedral Basilica and the Chapel of the Holy Family. It contains more than 100 pictorial works and more than 50 sculptures, its opening hours are from 06:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for religious ceremonies and from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. as a museum to visit and enjoy all the Cusquenian culture, having as most important works:
- Image of the Lord of the Tremors – Sworn Patron Saint of Cusco: Sculptural image that enjoys the highest status in the city, limited sale in the process of Holy Monday, is a brown Christ, dressed in Andean style with a phallic (Inca style skirt) carried on a silver platform accompanied by all the Cusco authorities and all the Cusco people gathered in the square.
- Monroy’s painting: Named after the person who commissioned the painting, it is a testimonial canvas about Cusco and the earthquake that struck the city in 1650.
- The Last Supper: Work of the Cusquenian artist Marcos Zapata, it is an imposing canvas about the last supper of Christ, but adorned with Andean details.
- Cross of the Conquest: Cross carried by the Dominican Fray Vicente Valverde at the moment of the beginning of the Inca conquest by the Spaniards.
- Arrival of Our Lady King of Bethlehem: Canvas made by the Cusco artist Basilio de Santa Cruz Pumacallao, narrates the arrival of the image of the Virgin King of Bethlehem to the city of Cusco, image that would end up being the Sworn Patroness of Cusco, in addition to the myth of Selenque.
Church of the Society of Jesus:
Belonging to the Jesuit order, this temple was erected in the record time of 16 years, being a single-story church with 2 chapels joined (Loreto and San Ignacio de Loyola), this church marks the triumph of the Baroque in Cusco, besides having the highest altarpiece of the city (16 meters) and the highest dome of Cusco.
Traditions and events:
In the main square of Cusco events take place almost often, the most important are:
- Holy Week (movable date): during this week the most important events are the procession of the Señor de los Temblores, the procession of the Virgen Dolorosa de la Merced.
- Corpus Christi (moving date): place where the Corpus Christi processions and Corpus Christi octave are held, where 15 images go out in the procession around the main square.
- International Book Fair (moving date): important fair that hosts the most important publishers and writers of the city, providing a varied cultural offer.
- Santurantikuy (December 24): Christmas fair offering handicrafts and works of art related to Christmas in Cusco.
- New Year’s Eve (December 31): Place of concentration to receive the new year in the middle of July and merriment.
- Every Sunday: Parades of institutions and flag raising by the mayor of the city.
Climate and Altitude
Although you can visit the city all year round, within Cusco you will find two very distinct climatic seasons. Depending on your taste and what you want to do, you will decide the best time to visit Cusco. In general, from May to October is the dry season and between November and April is the rainy season. If you are looking for a day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco, it is recommended to do it during the dry season. Another particular fact to take into account is that both the main square of Cusco and the entire city are located at an altitude of about 3,400 meters, which can cause discomfort and inconvenience during the trip. But even so, it is not very difficult to acclimatize to the altitude, you are simply taking precautions during the first few days.
Food and Beverage
One of the fascinating things about Peru tours is being able to taste the delicious cuisine around Cusco. And right around the Plaza de Armas are the city’s most popular restaurants, bars and cafes. The restaurants offer traditional Peruvian food such as cuy, lomo saltado, aji de gallina and other internationally renowned dishes such as pizza, pasta and grilled meats.
Nightlife
Another particular characteristic of the city is that it has a very active nightlife to enjoy. Varied entertainment such as discos, bars, pubs, and all around or very close to the main square of Cusco. You will find numerous activities to do during the night in Cusco, but within our travel tips to Cusco, we recommend you to be careful with your belongings and be alone at night because you can be a victim of petty crimes such as theft.
Location
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