Plaza de Armas (Main Square), Cusco (must see)
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.
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.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cusco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Plaza de Armas (Main Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza de Armas (Main Square)
Sight Location: Cusco, Peru (See walking tours in Cusco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cusco, Peru (See walking tours in Cusco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cusco, Peru
Create Your Own Walk in Cusco
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cusco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cusco Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled high in the Andes mountains, Cusco is a city bursting with stories to tell. Peru's historic capital city was also the Inca Empire's center until the Spanish conquistadors arrived.
Before the Inca settled in the area, the Killke people were here from the years 900 to 1200. Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside of town, was built as a fortress by the Killke.
The Inca later... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Before the Inca settled in the area, the Killke people were here from the years 900 to 1200. Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside of town, was built as a fortress by the Killke.
The Inca later... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Cusco's Historical Churches
Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, is one of the oldest cities in the world. In the 16th century, Spanish missionaries introduced the area to Catholicism. The result of that has been a plethora of historical churches built in the city since.
Among the marvels of local ecclesiastical architecture, the Cusco Cathedral reigns supreme. Constructed on the foundations of an Inca temple,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among the marvels of local ecclesiastical architecture, the Cusco Cathedral reigns supreme. Constructed on the foundations of an Inca temple,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles