Peru Cusco - One of the must-visit attractions in Cusco: The Temple of the Sun!

2024.08.26 Today, we had a very leisurely day in Cusco. In the morning, we had breakfast at Café D´wasi Peruvian Coffee. The coffee wasn't particularly impressive, and the breakfast was just average, feeling somewhat overrated. After breakfast, we visited Convento Santo Domingo, with an entrance fee of 20 soles (approximately 170 TWD). This is not included in the ticket package! So you have to pay extra, but the price is not expensive, and we spent quite a long time inside! No wonder it is rated as one of the must-visit attractions in Cusco! It is a Spanish colonial monastery built on the site of Qorikancha. Qorikancha was the most important Temple of the Sun in the Inca Empire, and it is said that the walls and courtyards of the temple were once covered in gold. Its name comes from the Quechua language, meaning "Golden Courtyard" or "Golden Area," and it was the religious and astronomical center of Cusco. It not only worshiped the sun god Inti but also included temples for the moon, stars, rainbow, and thunder. When the Spanish conquered Cusco in 1533, they demolished the Qorikancha temple to express their victory and built the Santo Domingo Monastery on its foundation. Although most of the metal ornaments were melted down and looted, the foundation stones of the Inca architecture were preserved and became part of this colonial building. The combination of the two creates a strong cultural contrast and shows how the conquerors integrated Inca civilization with Christian civilization. Interestingly, the Inca stone walls of Qorikancha were treated with special techniques, and the stones were precisely cut and polished to fit perfectly without the use of mortar, remaining stable even during strong earthquakes. Even when Spanish buildings were damaged in earthquakes, these Inca stone walls remained standing, demonstrating the superb Inca architectural techniques. Today, this complex not only showcases the architectural features of the Inca and Spanish colonial periods but also houses a large number of artifacts and artworks. Visitors can see paintings and sculptures that blend Inca and colonial art, as well as beautiful courtyards and arcades within the monastery. This place is not only a must-visit for history enthusiasts but also a great place to reflect on cultural collisions and historical transitions. For lunch, we randomly found a cheap local restaurant, spending only 9 soles per person (about 75 TWD), which was both cheap and filling. Next, we went to the Traditional Textile Center of Cusco, which is a center for the preservation and promotion of traditional Cusco weaving techniques. You can see local women using handlooms to weave beautiful alpaca and wool fabrics and demonstrate ancient dyeing techniques. These traditional crafts are passed down through generations, and the patterns and colors of the textiles are rich in culture and history. This place is not only a great place for shopping but also a window into understanding Andean culture. In the afternoon, we suddenly had no plans. My friend had been thinking about getting a tattoo for the past few days, so we decided to get one! It just so happened that the tattoo artist we met a few days ago was nearby. She chose a design with Peruvian characteristics and got the tattoo done very spontaneously. We spent some time sunbathing at Plaza de Armas, the heart of Cusco, surrounded by historic buildings and restaurants, often a gathering place for tourists and locals. In the evening, we went to Plaza Mayor Cusco Restobar for a few Pisco Sours and enjoyed a delicious dinner. The whole day passed by so leisurely and pleasantly. Tomorrow, we will finally start the journey I am most looking forward to—the exploration of the Sacred Valley of the Incas! This trip will include the spectacular Moray terraces and the mysterious Salinas de Maras salt mines, and the day after tomorrow, we will visit the highlight of this trip, Machu Picchu. I am really looking forward to it!