Machu Picchu and Cusco

Inhalt:
1. Machu Picchu
2. Cusco Content: 1st Machu Picchu 2nd Cusco Part 1 - Machu Picchu Machu Picchu means in English „old peak“ and is a good preserved city of ruins from the Inca. The city is situated at 2360 meters and is located on the ridge between the peaks of mount Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu with the same name as the city itself. Machu Picchu is located in the region Cusco, 75 kilometers in North West direction of Cusco. The terraced city was and is to reach on a narrow mountain path in the summit area of the Huayna Picchu and over long Inca Trails from the former capital Cusco of the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu consists of several important buildings which are shown in the picture below.

Please click on the regions in the picture to find out which building it is. (Chmouel)

Part 2 – Cusco

According to legend, Cusco the capital of the Inca Empire was founded by Mama Ocllo and Mango Capac. Cusco means "navel of the world" because Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire. In Cusco were also built huge Inca terraces where vast quantities of corn were grown. 1533 Cusco was then burned by Pizarro's men and almost all the gold taken. 1535 the ruling Mango Capac Inka II released by self from captivity of the Spaniards and organized a rebellion against Cusco which was occupied by Spain. The Spaniards were massacred most of bloodthirsty and brutal. Only at the last moment the Spaniards were able to avert a defeat against the Inca ruler. Cusco was almost completely destroyed.

This is Cusco today.(Sascha Grabow)