Of the manner in which the city of Cuzco is built, of the four royal roads which lead from it, of the grand edifices it contained, and who was its founder

The city of Cuzco was strategically built in a rugged mountainous terrain surrounded by two streams and valleys, with its layout reflecting ancient Incan urban planning. The site's division into Hanan-Cuzco (upper) and Hurin-Cuzco (lower) sections housed noble families, while the hill of Carmenca featured solar observation towers, indicating advanced astronomical knowledge. The city's fortified structures, such as those on the northern mountain, showcased impressive engineering, though many remain in ruins today. This 16th-century account by Pedro de Cieza de León provides a detailed ethnographic and architectural description, offering insights into Incan civilization's spatial organization, regional divisions (Antisuyu, Chincha-suyu, Collao, Cunti-suyu), and environmental adaptation.

(Ed.). (2010). Of the manner in which the city of Cuzco is built, of the four royal roads which lead from it, of the grand edifices it contained, and who was its founder. Travels of Pedro de Cieza de León, A.D. 1532–50, 322–329. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511708725.095