Contrary to popular belief, Cusco was inhabited long before the Incas arrived. As far back as 1000 B.C., the people of the Marcavel culture developed the lands around Cusco. Then, it was the Wary and Chanapata that governed the region. However, beginning in the 14th century, and in less than 100 years, the Incas transformed the region from a mass of independent tribes to become the centre of a tremendous empire. The Tawantinsuyo Empire extended from the south of Colombia to the central valleys of Chile, including the high plains of Bolivia and the northeast of Argentina.
The great success of the Inca Empire is attributed to Inca Pachacutec, who directed the construction of the main buildings in Cusco, and began the great expansion of the Incas. Then, beginning in 1533 the Incas and the entire Tawantinsuyo Empire suffered a radical transformation brought about by their war with the Spanish and ultimately the inexorable laws placed on them by the Conquistadors. Most Incan constructions were savagely destroyed, though some were partially preserved. Over the old foundations, made of perfectly-fitted stones, the Spanish built churches, convents and elegant colonial houses.
Rapidly, Cusco became one of the most beautiful and important cities in South America. Nowadays, the entire Cusco region is based around agriculture and tourism. Cusco is the seventh most populated city in Peru. Near Cusco is the Urubamba Valley, better known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which was a military, religious, political, and agricultural centre during Inca times. Many fortresses were built on the flanks of the mountains, and these fortresses controlled access to the valley and protected it from invaders – Pisac and Ollantaytambo are considered the most important fortresses in the Sacred Valley.
Farther from the Sacred Valley, at 2,900 m.a.s.l., the majestic sanctuary-city of Machupicchu – the lost city of the Incas – is built atop the mountain and surrounded by tropical vegetation.
