The Coricancha, "Golden Temple" or sometimes "Temple of the Sun," was the most important temple in the Inca Empire. Unfortunately, most of the temple was destroyed by Spanish conquistadors, but the remaining stonework was used to make the foundation of the Santo Domingo Convent.

You'll notice many variations of spelling used for "Coricancha" since there is no single agreed-upon English spelling. A few alternatives that you'll see include Qorikancha and Koricancha.

The Inca used ashlar masonry to construct Coricancha. This alone is a testament to the building's importance since ashlar is labor intensive and requires the use of only perfectly faced and squared stones.

At one time, the walls of Coricancha were covered in gold, and the courtyards were filled with gold statues. The Spanish described the opulence as "fabulous beyond belief." In 1533, the Spanish demanded a gold ransom for the Inca leader Atahualpa's life. Most of the gold came from Coricancha. A nearby archaeological museum has a collection of mummies, idols, and textiles from the site.

The Spanish eventually built the Convent of Santo Domingo on the site. Some of the stones from Coricancha were used for the foundation, and others found their way into other churches around town.

The convent was the first Dominican convent in Peru. It was founded in 1534, and the first building was completed in 1610. Unfortunately, a severe earthquake caused an earlier structure to collapse completely.

The building you see today was built in 1680. The baroque bell tower was added in the early 1700s. The museum here is divided into four areas: the Coricancha, the Cusco School, a contemporary art collection, and a collection of work collected by the convent to recognize modern works made in the city of Cusco.

Sun Avenue (Avenida El Sol) is a pivotal artery in Cusco, known for its vibrant blend of commerce, history, and tourism. Stretching from northwest to southeast across the city's Historic Center, this major avenue follows the course of the once visible Saphy River, which was channelized during the Inca era. Today, the avenue is a bustling hub encircled by an array of shops, restaurants, hotels, and tourist-centric enterprises.

Proximate to key attractions like the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), the Cathedral of Cusco, and the Temple of the Sun, Sun Avenue is not just a tourist destination but also a central part of local life. It serves as a main conduit for the city's public transportation, with ample bus and taxi services, especially during the peak tourist season when it often experiences heavy traffic congestion.

Originally the channeled bed of the Saphy River, Sun Avenue transformed into a major thoroughfare between 1911 and 1931. By 1927, it was fully established up to Wanchaq Station. The construction of the Municipal Theater in 1930 and other key developments marked its growth as the city's main street. By 1940, it was paved and became home to institutional buildings like the Gibson Bank, Popular and Agropecuario Bank, Cusco Club, and Savoy Hotel.

Sun Avenue's historical and cultural importance has been recognized both nationally and internationally. Since 1972, it has been part of the Monumental Zone of Cusco, declared a Historical Monument of Peru. Furthermore, in 1983, as part of the historic center of Cusco, it was included in the area declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2014, it gained additional recognition when it was incorporated into the Tawantinsuyo road network, again declared a World Heritage Site.

Main Square is Cusco's central hub of activity. Main Square has a colonial look, but the area has been central to human settlements since the Inca Empire. Here, the Inca army celebrated victories, and the residents held ceremonies. Back then, the square was known as the "Square of the Warrior".

Before Main Square was a meeting place, it was a swamp. Legendary Manco Capac, the founder of the Inca civilization in Cusco, built a palace and a city around the swamp. Then, his son began drying the swamp, and the area became a central location.

During the Inca era, the square was the center of the Inca Empire. The square was larger than it is today and was home to administrative and religious activities in addition to fairs and festivals. Impressive palaces lined the square.

The Spanish arrived in the early 1500s and took over the palaces. The Spanish built chapels, cathedrals, and mansions over the Inca palaces. Today's buildings feature colonial architecture with Inca foundations and some Inca walls.

Main Square has a beautiful central fountain. It is surrounded by impressive landmark buildings such as the Cusco Cathedral, the Church of the Company of Jesus, and the Chapel of Triumph. In addition, the square features many museums, restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. Main Square hosts parades, festivals, and celebrations.

The square features a statue celebrating Jose Gabriel Tupac Amaru. He fought for independence from the Spanish but was publicly executed in the square as a warning to other residents.

The Cusco Cathedral is part of Cusco's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Spanish built the Cusco Cathedral between 1560 and 1654. The Roman Catholic church is Main Square's most impressive building. It has a Spanish colonial style and is home to significant colonial artworks as well as archeological finds.

The Cusco Cathedral replaced an Inca temple and was built on the temple's foundations. Many of the cathedral's stones are from the Sacsayhuamán citadel on the northern outskirts of the city. The Spanish also used the square's sacred sand in the construction. The Cusco Cathedral features a classic colonial Gothic-Renaissance style. The Spanish used conquered residents as their labor, and included some Inca symbols in the cathedral, such as the carved jaguar head on the doors.

The cathedral's north tower features the remarkable Maria Angola Bell. The bell was cast in 1659, is 2.15 meters (seven feet) high, and weighs over 13,000 pounds. The bell was named after an Angola enslaved person who added gold to the crucible when the bell was created. The bell is audible up to 20 miles away but is only rung for special occasions.

Visitors will find a collection of Peruvian painter Marcos Zapata's paintings in the sacristy. A highlight of Zapata's paintings is the fascinating "The Last Supper" showing Jesus and his disciples eating traditional Peruvian dishes such as guinea pig and and drinking chicha. Zapata was born in Cusco and was known for introducing local elements in his paintings.

In addition, the cathedral hosts portraits of Cusco's bishops. The cathedral also displays works from the Cusco School of Art. The wooden Christ of the Earthquakes crucifix is tarnished with centuries of candle smoke. The crucifix is taken outdoors during Holy Week to commemorate the 1650 earthquake.

The Inca built this complex in the 1400s, probably under the famed ruler Pachacuti and his successors. It sits at an elevation of 12,142 feet above sea level overlooking the city of Cusco below.

While the structures you see now are from the 15th century, archaeological evidence suggests that the site was occupied as far back as 900 CE. This means the Killke culture first developed the site before the Inca came to the area.

According to Inca legends, the city of Cusco is the "lion city." The tail is formed where the two rivers unite, and the body is the town with its squares and houses. The Inca built Sacsayhuaman as the head of the lion. It is a fortress built on a high plateau north of town.

Spaniard Pedro Cieza De Leon wrote that the Inca ordered 20,000 men to come in from the provinces to aid in the construction of the fortress. The laborers quarried stone, hauled them with leather and hemp cables, and dug the foundations.

The center of the site was a large communal plaza. Around the plaza are three huge stone terrace walls. The stones are some of the biggest used in any pre-Hispanic buildings in the Americas, and the joinery between the stones is unmatched. The stones sit so tightly together in many places that not even a sheet of paper could be put through the gap.

After the Spanish seized Cusco, they began taking the blocks from Sacsayhuaman to build new government and religious buildings. As a result, the only stones remaining at the site today are those that were too large and too heavy for the Spanish to move easily.

The site is used today to celebrate Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the winter solstice. Together with the city of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is generally recommended to allow two or three hours to see the ruins at Sacsayhuaman. It's a spectacular site, full of history, impressive feats of stonework, and gorgeous views of Cusco below.

Uphill and northeast from the Main Square, you'll find the San Blas District of town. The area is known as the artist's quarter, and it has been described as the most picturesque area of town. It's quieter here, too. You'll find great cafes and beautiful views of the rest of Cusco below.

The road up to San Blas Square is called the San Blas Slope. There are numerous art galleries and workshops along the way. Walking here is a pleasure for the senses.

San Blas Square is located in the heart of the area. It's bounded by Carmen Bajo and Calle Tandepata and is dominated by a large fountain. The cobbled streets in the area are steep, built narrow with Inca stone steps.

The Inca called this part of town Salt Cave. Even since those times, this charming barrio has been popular with artisans. It is believed that the area was also popular with the Inca elite.

The district's name changed with the Spaniards, who named it in honor of the third-century bishop who dedicated his time to healing people and animals.

There are two attractions on the square that you won't want to miss. The first is the San Blas Church. The second is the Hilario Mendivil and Family Gallery. Mendivil is a well-known artist from the area known for his religious imagery.

The Church of the Company of Jesus was built on an Inca palace. Jesuits began construction on the church in 1576. The church features Spanish Baroque architecture. Its beautiful architecture influenced many other buildings later on.

The church was damaged during the 1650 earthquake and rebuilt in 1668. The church has ornate exterior and interior embellishments, such as a dramatic portal and exquisite altarpieces. The nearby Cusco Cathedral's leaders became concerned about the church's attractive features and wanted the church to tone it down so the cathedral could remain Cusco's most magnificent landmark. Pope Paul III was asked to intervene. However, his support of the cathedral didn't reach Cusco until the Church of the Company of Jesus was completed.

The Church of the Company of Jesus features several interesting artworks. Visitors will find a painting showing the wedding of Ignatius Loyola's nephew Martin Garcia de Loyola with Inca ruler Tupac Amaru's grand-niece Beatriz. Ignatius Loyola founded the Company of Jesus, and Tupac Amaru was the last Inca ruler.

San Pedro Central Market in Cusco is a vibrant and bustling hub that encapsulates the rich cultural tapestry of the region. Dating back to colonial times, the market originally served as a gathering spot for various merchants on the streets of Cusco. Over the years, it has undergone architectural transformations to become a more organized and clean space, attracting not only locals but also tourists from around the world.

Located just a short walk from the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) in Cusco, the market offers a genuine glimpse into the daily lives and customs of the Cusqueñians. It is especially renowned for its eclectic array of foods, including local delicacies like chicharrones made from pig heads, sheep head soup, and more exotic offerings such as frog juice, believed to boost intelligence.

For those interested in traditional crafts and souvenirs, San Pedro is a treasure trove. The market features a wide range of textiles made from alpaca, llama, and sheep wool, often blended with synthetic materials. It also offers ceramics, leather goods, and a variety of hand-made items, all available at negotiable prices, providing a perfect opportunity for bargain hunters.

Additionally, the market is a fantastic place to explore Peruvian biodiversity, with a section dedicated to local fruits that were domesticated by the Incas. Visitors can try rare fruits like chirimoya, lucuma, and granadilla, and learn about their uses and significance.

San Pedro Market also serves as a cultural center where visitors can observe traditional rituals and offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth), including the sale of llama and alpaca fetuses, old coins, and incense.

A visit to San Pedro Central Market offers an authentic slice of everyday life in Cusco, making it a must-visit destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture and gastronomy.