BRIEF HISTORY REVIEW
Not much is known about Cusco before the Spanish Conquest except some old stories told from generations to generation. It is said that the city of Cusco was founded around the 11th and 12th century by Inca Manco Capac. Legend has it that he and his sister-consort Mama Ocllo rose from the waters of the Sacred Titicaca Lake.
According to some historians, the name comes from the Quechua word "ccosco" which means center or pivot of the four Suyos, or regions, into which the Tahuantinsuyo empire was divided. This latter included parts of Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.
The Inca society was an admirable example of socio-political organization thanks to its people’s great knowledge of architecture, hydraulic-engineering, medicine, agriculture, among other fields.
Cusco is the Archeological Capital of the Americas and a national monument. On March 23 of 1534, the Spanish Conquistador Francisco founded a Spanish city on Inca buildings and stone walls of the original Cusco. Thus, Cusco has then been a typical sample of cultural fusion inheriting great architectonical monuments as well as priceless art masterpieces.
During the colonial times, important rebellions against Spanish dominion took place in Cusco.One of them was led by Jose Gabriel Condorcanqui (Tupac Amaru II) in 1781, another by the Angulo brothers and the Pumacahua brothers in 1814. The Republic began in 1825, since then, Cusco has been renowned not only for its archeological monuments but also for its people.