One of the many spectacular sites
that I visited during my recent trip to Cusco was Calle Inca Roca. Located just east of the Plaza de Armas, this pedestrian alley features the impressive megalithic
stonework of Peru’s pre-Columbian (pre-European) time. For the tourist, this street
also provides a unique bonus: the patterns of two of the Andes’ most
spiritually symbolic animals are camouflaged within the stonework.
I discovered Calle Inca Roca by chance
during my first morning in Cusco. Setting out early from my hotel, I ventured
into the San Blas district, a beautiful and historic neighborhood popular for
its artisan culture. I was on the hunt for breakfast, and my guidebook suggested
Jack’s Café Bar for newly arrived tourists. (Their review was spot-on, by the
way. Jack’s food is delicious, safe, and affordable – and the customer service is
great.)
With a full belly, I set out for the
Cathedral, retracing my footsteps west along Calle Hatunrumiyoc, or “Street of
the Great Stone.” Along the way, I discovered the twelve angle-stone, which is probably the single most famous
example of pre-Columbian stonework in Cusco. Clearly named for its remarkable shape,
this boulder is emplaced in the street’s southern wall. On that day, it was crowded
with tourists. So, I took several photos “from the hip,” and then decided to return
early the next morning (which, by the way, is the best time to view Cusco’s
sites).
