Our profesora, Libia, shares her culture with us.
Monday, August 13th: A conocer Cusco
We have explored and learned so much over the last several days! Each afternoon we tour the city or surrrounding areas with our private instructor, Libia, from the Amauta language school who explains to us the cultural and historical significance of places of interest. Monday we closely examined a most impressive mural off the Avenida El Sol that depicts the expansion of the Inca civilization and subsequent Spanish conquest. Full of vibrant colors and telling scenes that flow from one to another, the mural was a most thought-provoking testament to Peru´s complicated and rich history. Afterwards we spent several hours exploring the treasures of the Museo Inka, which contains artifacts that span from pre-Inca civilizations and Inca culture to the impact of the Conquest and colonial times. Highlights included a recreation of an Inca burial site which hosts real Inca mummies, as well as all of the plentiful artifacts tracing the history of this rich country.
Tuesday, August 14th:
On Tuesday we visited the Qoricancha, once the most revered site in the Inca empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the sun God. The Spanish colonists erected the Church of Santo Domingo on this site, mostly destroying the temple and using its foundations for the church. The solid Inca stonework, which consists of tightly-interlocking blocks of massive stone that fit together much like a puzzle, has withstood the test of time and provides the foundation for much of the colonial building. Major earthquakes have severely damaged the church at times, yet the Inca stone walls still stand due to their sophisticated masonry. One can observe and appreciate the ancient alongside the colonial throughout the complex, with Spanish arches casting shadows onto the imposing Inca walls.
We have explored and learned so much over the last several days! Each afternoon we tour the city or surrrounding areas with our private instructor, Libia, from the Amauta language school who explains to us the cultural and historical significance of places of interest. Monday we closely examined a most impressive mural off the Avenida El Sol that depicts the expansion of the Inca civilization and subsequent Spanish conquest. Full of vibrant colors and telling scenes that flow from one to another, the mural was a most thought-provoking testament to Peru´s complicated and rich history. Afterwards we spent several hours exploring the treasures of the Museo Inka, which contains artifacts that span from pre-Inca civilizations and Inca culture to the impact of the Conquest and colonial times. Highlights included a recreation of an Inca burial site which hosts real Inca mummies, as well as all of the plentiful artifacts tracing the history of this rich country.
Tuesday, August 14th:
On Tuesday we visited the Qoricancha, once the most revered site in the Inca empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the sun God. The Spanish colonists erected the Church of Santo Domingo on this site, mostly destroying the temple and using its foundations for the church. The solid Inca stonework, which consists of tightly-interlocking blocks of massive stone that fit together much like a puzzle, has withstood the test of time and provides the foundation for much of the colonial building. Major earthquakes have severely damaged the church at times, yet the Inca stone walls still stand due to their sophisticated masonry. One can observe and appreciate the ancient alongside the colonial throughout the complex, with Spanish arches casting shadows onto the imposing Inca walls.