Excursion through the city of Cusco. The center of Cusco is a history lesson. Modern and colonial buildings are built on top of Inca foundations, and colonial churches dominate the central square. Visited the Qorichanka, an Inka sacred site. After the Spanish conquest in 1532, during the division of Cusco’s lands and buildings, the Qorikancha fell to Juan Pizarro, one of Francisco Pizarro's brothers. Before his death, Juan Pizarro decided to donate the Qorikancha to the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order). Founded in 1534, Cusco’s Saint Dominic Priory (Convento de Santo Domingo) was the first Dominican convent in Peru. Web links here:
http://www.qorikancha.org/PortadaENG.htm
Qorikancha’s altar
http://ephemera.cat/bloc/2009/07/06/notes-from-peru-1-qorikanchas-altar/
Notes from Peru Inka stonework.
http://ephemera.cat/bloc/2009/07/22/notes-from-peru-2-inka-stonework/
Field trip to the Sacsayhuaman Ruins. The fortress of Sacsayhuaman forms the head of the Puma design of old Cusco. It is a mystery how it was constructed, since the stones are not found in the region, and most of the blocks weigh more than a ton. The largest rock weighs more than 300 tons. Sacsayhuaman is constructed of huge polygonal blocks which interlock with one another.
Lunch at a café in the main plaza, the center of colonial architecture of the city. Good food and great music by the 5 – Brothers Roque.
Pre-dinner presentation by Gustavo León Flores, an expert on the history of Inca and Andean musical instruments. He demonstrated over 2 dozen different unique Andean instruments, plus had many others for us to view. He played many of the instruments he talked about. A very talented person both with instrument and voice. Web links here:
Photos of Gustavo’s instruments from another online site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vernonalferd/sets/72157624880097258/?page=6
Photo 1. Ticket used for entrance to Qorichanka
Photo 2. Display of representation of gold panel that had adorned walls of Inka temple. Details above in web site on Qorikancha’s altar.
Photo 3. Sacsayhuaman Fortress Ruins with rocks the dwarf us.
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay15Of17
