Cusco – Peru
The ancient city of Cusco once served as the capital of the Inca Empire, the largest civilization in pre-Columbian South America. Located high in the Andes Mountains at more than 3,400 meters above sea level, the city formed the political and cultural center of the Inca world.
After the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, colonial churches, plazas, and buildings were constructed atop Inca foundations, creating a unique architectural landscape where two cultures meet. Many streets still preserve the precisely fitted stone walls built by Inca engineers centuries ago.
Today Cusco remains one of the most historically significant cities in South America and a gateway to the surrounding archaeological sites of the Andes.
