Five Free Wonders to See and Enjoy in Cusco

Cuzco by Night (Walter Coraza Morveli)

In the historical city and region of Cusco there are many attractions to see.

Here is found the great marvel, Machu Picchu. Besides being our greatest attraction, it is a place where one can let your mind roam free, charge yourself with energy from nature all around, and also witness the temples and walls of our ancestors.

Beyond Machu Picchu there are places you should get to know in the City of Cusco. We have museums and archeological centers including Saqsayhuaman, Q’enco, Tambomachay, and more. The mentioned have an entrance fee but there are also other sites of importance that are free. Cusco is filled with magic, wonder, spirit, and history.

Here is a list of five places that do not have a price and that are worth putting in your bucket list when you are in the Imperial City of Cusco.

1. The typical market of San Pedro. In this center that satisfies the downtown’s demand for food and much more, colors, scents, and flavors come together. It is a picturesque site and in it you will find signature national dishes, such as ceviche, chicharrón, beans and lentils, adobo, chiriuchu, chairo, and more. You can also find gifts, colorful shawls, musical instruments, paintings, and much more to call your interest and meet your need.

   

2. The Main Square, our Plaza de Armas. Here, in the heart of the Inca and Spanish cities many great historical events played themselves out, such as massive Inca rituals drawing all of Tawantinsuyo (The Inca Empire which included Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador)round it were built palaces by the important Incas. On top of them, the Spanish raised their churches and palaces. Today it is surrounded by tourist restaurants, jewelry shops, travel agencies, and various tourist businesses. Our Plaza is the gathering spot year round for tourists and locals. At different time you will find in it concerts, daces and parades, and art exhibits. Its gardens show fresh colors and scents. It is a main point for resting in the city from your daily grind.

   

3. The typical neighborhood of San Blas. It is just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. This traditional neighborhood of artisans with its narrow, stone streets and attractive and colorful balconies opening from white walled houses host numerous workshops and stores of well-known artists. It also has its own plaza. There is much history to know within tis streets. From its overlooks you get splendid views. You can see our city awaken and go to sleep under brilliant skies and among starry lights. It is pure magic.

   

4. A place of worship, a huaca called today Mesa Redonda. It used to be called Antuiturko. This archeological site is located in the lower parts of Palachapata. It is found amidst the neighborhoods of Balconsillo and Jardines del Inca. In it you can see the technique our ancestors used to work stone. Today it is a point that draws local and foreigners. It has a beautiful view of a part of the city, and contains beautiful, green gardens that attract draw people and let them sit and meditate.

   

5. The Temple of the Moon, also known in Quechua as Amaru Marca Wasi which means the house of the serpent. People come here to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and to hear the song of birds or feel the fresh air bringing them the scent of bright flowers. To the side of the Temple there is a small stream that will take you to a whole chain of haucas, ancestral sacred sites. On its banks you will also find people playing many sports–boxing, yoga, as well as other relaxing arts. Visitors find themselves swelling with marvel for the walls and stone temple that are surrounded by lining nature. Inside the Temple of the Moon, a cave in the carved rock, it is easy to see the carved stone that has the form of animals. Inside you lose all the external noise. Your eyes take in their open light in order to see the carved outlines of a condor, a puma, and two serpents on the door. One of them is dark and it takes you inside, into the sacred place. The other is white and it is the one that helps you and give you pure light.