Historic Centre of Cusco
World Heritage Site in Peru
About
The Historic Centre of Cusco (Spanish: Centro histórico de Cusco, CHC), is the historic city centre of the Peruvian city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. It consists of two areas: the first is the Monumental Zone established by the Peruvian government in 1972, and the second one—contained within the first one—is the World Heritage Site established by UNESCO in 1983 under the name of City of Cuzco (Spanish: Ciudad del Cusco), where a selected number of buildings are marked with the organisation's blue-and-white shield since 2021.
Originally the capital of the Inca Empire, it was captured by the Spanish Empire in 1533 as a result of the Inca Civil War, becoming an important urban centre of the Viceroyalty of Peru, as well as its capital after the capture of Lima in 1821 during the Peruvian War of Independence. After a republic was established, the city lost its influence to Lima, the capital of independent Peru. It is one of the most important tourist destinations of Peru.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Cusco
City in Peru
0.1 mi away
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, Cusco
Church in Cusco, Peru
0.1 mi away
Sacsayhuamán
Archaeological site near Cusco, Peru
0.7 mi away
Cusco Cathedral
Cathedral in Peru
0.1 mi away
Coricancha
Archaeological site in Peru
0.4 mi away
Siege of Cusco
1536–37 attempt by the Incan Empire to retake Cuzco from Spanish conquistadores
0.1 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
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Tickets and tours for Historic Centre of Cusco
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