Cusco
Country: Peru
Region: South America
Period: 13th-16th c.CE
Location: -13.525°N, -71.972222°E
Description
"Cuzco, nestled high in the Andes Mountains, was the capital of the Inca Empire and considered the ""navel of the world."" The city featured masterful stonework, grand temples, and an urban layout that mirrored the empire's cosmic and political order, symbolizing its status as the empire’s spiritual and administrative heart."
Modern Remains
Modern-day Cusco preserves much of its Inca legacy beneath and within colonial buildings. Ancient stone walls, streets, and ruins like Sacsayhuamán endure alongside Spanish churches and plazas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cusco is a major destination where layers of Inca and colonial history blend with vibrant indigenous culture.