This afternoon is an included tour of Cusco that takes in the major monuments of the city, and the nearby archaeological ruins of Sacsayhuaman. Cusco is an interesting city, but suffers from being the departure point for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu – walking the streets is like running the gauntlet of street vendors at Versailles – lady want postcard? Look at my pictures? Photo with lamb? Photo with baby llama or alpaca? Un photo un soles – a photo for one soles. After 7 ʻno graciasʼ in 50 metres, it gets a little wearing.
This is the view from Sacsayhuaman.
View of Cusco from Sacsayhuaman
Cusco’s famous Cathedral is more like 3 churches side by side. The cathedral occupies the centre position, with a church on either side, connected by a series of archways. The interior is cavernous, with huge gilt Baroque altars in each. The cathedral is notable for its sculpture of a black Christ on the cross, and the carved wooden choir, the work of one man that took 40 years. The cathedral is also home to the tamest, most sterile and least creepy crypt I have ever been in.
