After the Spanish conquest of the Inca empire, especially in the capital of Tahuantinsuyo (Cusco). Everything changed in the city of Cusco; this also influenced the naming of some streets. Each street has a story to tell, where the names make you think and imagine. Perhaps they keep a secret or they were simply called that because of usage. Thus, in this content, we tell you the stories of the most important streets in the city of Cusco.

CUSCO AND ITS SEVEN STREETS

WHY DOES THE NUMBER 7 PREDOMINATE IN THE STREETS OF CUSCO?

The historic center of Cusco has a variety of streets. Each of them with a peculiar story. Of which 7 streets stand out with names that let our imagination fly. Likewise, there are many numbers 7 since the beginning of history. Its use comes from the Inca and pre-Inca times; There are 7 sacraments of the church. 7 deadly sins, 7 musical notes, 7 wonders of the ancient world, and 7 wonders of the modern world.

Thus, the number seven had its dominance in the designation of these streets of Cusco, such as SEVEN MASCARONES, SEVEN WINDOWS, SEVEN ROOMS, SEVEN LITTLE SHEEP, SEVEN DEVILS, SEVEN LITTLE ANGELS, AND SEVEN SNAKES.

1. SEVEN MASCARONES – STREETS OF CUSCO

father to mold and cast convex bronze pieces with caryatids, which were destined for the doors of the churches. In addition to other pieces such as nails for street doors, bells, all in a metallic finish, etc. Currently, these pieces are still preserved in some churches or old mansions.

How to get to Seven Mascarones Street
  • By car from the main square of Cusco about 10 minutes.
  • Walking from the main square of Cusco approximately 20 minutes.

2. SEVEN WINDOWS – STREETS OF CUSCO

Name that until today retains the street that is on the corner of the slope of Alabado and is a continuation of Ruinas street.

Why is it called seven windows?

It should be noted that before the destruction of the temple of San Agustín there was behind it a house of studies of that convent. Which had 4 large windows and 3 small ones making a sum of 7 windows of which the name has remained. Currently, it is in contradiction with the number of windows of the houses since it has been modified now they are modern and current houses. But the name still stands.

How to get to seven windows street
  • From the main square of Cusco by car it is 3 minutes.
  • Walking from the main square of Cusco you can get there in 8 minutes, it is very close and it is more attractive to go on foot since you will be able to appreciate the Machupicchu-Casa Concha museum.

3. SEVEN CUARTONES – STREETS OF CUSCO

It owes its name to 7 stringers, made of stone in the form of paddocks aligned from stretch to stretch over the Saphy River (Its route crosses the historic center of Cusco and has been mostly piped since Inca times). They were next to the lime and stone bridge that Don Diego de Vargas y Carbajal ordered to be built next to the “Petitions Window”. Currently only a stone crossbar can be seen on the street. Apparently, the passage of time was in charge of disappearing these ornaments.

How to get to the street seven paddocks

This beautiful street is very close to the main square of Cusco, from there it is a 5-minute walk, it is not necessary to go by car.

4. SEVEN LITTLE SHEEP – STREETS OF CUSCO

Also known as the lamb alley, this street connects the Huaca de Sapantiana in San Blas with the neighborhood of San Cristóbal and Calle Pumacurco.

Why does the name seven little lambs have it?

Name of the sloping street through which settlers used to go down carrying their bundles on pack animals to wash rags and baskets in the Tullumayu River. From the end of Pumaq –Kurkun street, which is currently called “Palacios street”. Siete Borreguitos street was remodeled to have better trafficability and now and then from time to time camelids such as llamas and alpacas come down that were taken by their owners to the temple of San Cristóbal to be photographed by visitors, very rarely some burritos also come down with their loads.

How to get to Seven Borreguitos Street
  • By car from the Plaza de Armas, it is approximately 5 minutes.
  • On foot, the tour is about 15 minutes.

5. SEVEN DEVILS – STREETS OF CUSCO

The story goes that many loving couples met on this narrow and secluded street. It was said that they were tempted by the devil because couples gave free rein to their carnal desires where most women ended up pregnant. What gave rise to the name seven little devils referring to the 7 deadly sins. Currently, couples no longer meet on this street because it is now busier.

6. SEVEN LITTLE ANGELS – STREETS OF CUSCO

This street owes its name in contrast to the 7 little devils street, for this reason, the church created the story that San Blas had ordered the painting of the 7 little angels to somehow counteract the influence of the evil one, this street is to the right of Carmen Alto and it connects with the seven little devils street; in the second house on its colonial tiles it has 7 little angels painted, it is said that they were painted there by order of San Blas de Bobadilla who owned the house, the image of the angel holds the number 7 in one of his hands that was added during the intervention of the San Blas neighborhood by Mayor Daniel Estrada Perez. In addition to the 7 figurines mentioned, there are others that are worthy of being contemplated raising their heads that usually go unnoticed.

How to get to the street 7 little angels and 7 little devils?

From the Plaza de Armas of Cusco to Siete Angelitos, the journey on foot is approximately 12 minutes. As well as to get to Siete Diablitos street since it is only after 7 little angels street.

7. SEVEN SNAKES

One of the most beautiful streets of Cusco, in the days of the Incas they called it Amaru Ccatta alley because the square of the Nazarenas had the name of Amaru Ccatta, now it is known as Seven Snakes street because in the Inca stone walls of Yachay Wasi school have 7 pairs of snakes carved in high relief, the snakes carved in stone are appreciated with care and patience.

How to get to Calle 7 Culebras?

From the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, you can walk through the Plaza de las Nazarenas, it will take you 6 minutes to walk.

OTHER ENIGMATIC STREETS OF CUSCO

CUESTA DE LA AMARGURA STREET

This street connects the Plaza de Armas of Cusco with the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuamán, a steep street, but with many stories, it is definitely worth visiting, many visitors take this route to visit Sacsayhuamán.

Why is this street called ‘Cuesta de la Amargura’?

Its name is due to the fact that in colonial times the stones of Sacsayhuamán were moved along this street for the construction of some temples, including the magnificent cathedral; Because it is a steep street, it was difficult to move and it made the working Indians suffer since they threw huge stones from the top of the street and had to block the stones at the end of the street, this caused them accidents and hard blows until they fractured. the feet, that is why the men gave it the name “Mucchuicata”, which translated into Spanish means “slope of bitterness”.

MIDDLE STREET

It is called Calle Del Medio because it is dividing its southwestern side between the Portal de Comercio and the Portal de Confituras, this street joins the main square of Cusco and the Regocijo square also known as Kusipata square, this name was designated from the foundation from the city; there was once a large stone cross with carvings in relief. She was placed there three days after the terrible punishment that was carried out by a perjurer (who swore falsely) a Knight with the surname López. This cross gradually fell down due to the passage of time and tremors that hit the city. Today you can see on the right wall and under a balcony of the first house a small stone cross for the cause indicated by the cross entitled, “Your tongue for my honor.”

LORETO STREET

Calle Loreto also called Intikijllu or alley of the sun, is the narrow street that leads to the main square of Cusco Initially called Amaru Kancha, because in front of the house known as Acllawasi or “house of the chosen ones”, it was the palace of the Inca Huayna Cápac, which they called “Amaru Kancha” which translated would be “Fence of the Serpent”, and which literally occupied the entire block, then the palace was divided into what is now known as the “Palace of Justice ”, “The University Paraninfo” and the Church of the Society of Jesus. The name of this street comes from the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto, built in colonial times.

MANTAS STREET

It was called “Calle de Cajonerías” or “Calle de Siete Cajones” because of the narrow shops that were located in it, whose European merchandise, imported by Diego de Sillerigo, used to be supplied by the Cuzqueña aristocracy; they say that the shops belonged to Jews and Portuguese. But the merchant Sillerigo put the famous silk vapor blankets up for sale, long before the fashion of the saya and the mantle (costume of the “covered”) arrived in Lima. The name “Calle de las Mantas” was called for that reason since 1744.

MARQUES STREET

This fascinating street is located at the continuation of Mantas street. Made up of colonial mansions on walls and Inca temples with their Churrigueresque balconies with quite a lot of details and portals with different Spanish coats of arms. His name dates back to the time he had his house built here by Don Diego de Esquivel, the first Marquis of San Lorenzo de Valleumbroso, owner of the beautiful hacienda “La Glorieta” (Quispicanchis), near the town of Oropesa. The Marquis, in addition, exploited the gold and silver mines of “Yanantin”, and the reports say that he was very hated for his cruelties and greed.

Currently, this mansion is occupied by the School of Fine Arts of Cusco – Diego Quispe Tito – which gives it a good air and artistic inspiration. If you visit Cusco, it is worth going through the school of artists.

TIGER STREETS

This street is at the junction of Calle Plateros and Calle Saphy, it is said that a couple lived on this street whose only son was an apprentice painter, who was in the service of the famous Diego Quispe Tito, had the bad taste of painting in the figure of a wild cat on the wall, in order to scare the passer-by boys who came to this street to relieve themselves. Since then, people have familiarized the wild cat with a tiger, which is why they called it “Tiger Street”.

PURGATORY STREET

It was called like this due to the fraud or deceit carried out by an alcabalero (collector of sales tax, tax for the purchase and sale of merchandise), with the surname Colmenares, dismissed from his position by the Cabildo Cuzqueño. Tradition has it that, to obtain money without working, Colmenares exploited the faith, fear, and piety of passers-by to collect “alms”.

How is this story born?

It is said that an old woman lived in the house located on the corner of Purgatorio and Huaynapata streets. After her death, rumors began that her soul was suffering so much that the neighbors heard knocking on their doors at midnight and heard a strange and painful voice crying sorry and because it caused fear to passers-by.
Taking advantage of this fact. Colmenares son of the deceased was dressed in a black tunic and a mask. He imitated a skull and held a pot with oiled rags that burned, he left after nine at night with a box that said: “Alms for the souls in Purgatory.” So much so was the fear felt by passers-by that they put their coins in the box? That was how people began to call this narrow alley that way.

MORE STREETS OF CUSCO

PALACE STREET

This street owes its name to the fact that the “Old Trotatemplos” of the viceregal era used to call “Palace” to the house next to the Seminary of San Antonio Abad, in which the rector bishops of the seminary resided. But the name that the Indians gave to the same street was “Ñucchu-street” because on days of “religious solemnity” the seminarians waited for the Rector with a red bonnet with a tassel that resembled the flower of the Ñucchu.

SUECIA STREET

Today it is known as Sweden Street, however, its original name is Dirty Street, because the vendors of the Plaza Mayor market and the animals (mules and llamas) made a filthy garbage dump that was swept collectively only in the Corpus Christi or Holy Monday (it really must have been a dunghill); It is for this reason that from “Calle Sucia” it derived the improper and strange name “Calle Sweden”, perhaps to hide its ugly past. It is also known that the street was laid out by the Salesian Francisco Paglia.

CASTLE PAMPA STREET

It is said that at the request of Bishop Fray Vicente de Valverde, the conqueror Francisco Pizarro had the gallows planted in the “Plaza Mayor” moved to this small square. Here stood the gallows. The post to which they tied those sentenced to the penalty of whipping and also the trunk on which the heads of those sentenced to the maximum penalty were cut off. Thus, from “Pampa del Punishment” they misrepresented it to “Pampa del Castillo”, known as such today.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WALKING THE STREETS OF CUSCO

  • The best way to travel through these streets is through a travel agency of your choice in order to avoid inconveniences.
  • Wear light and appropriate clothing to have a pleasant walk.
  • We recommend that you bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. And in the rainy season a water poncho since sometimes we will have rain.
  • Carry a light backpack with snacks such as fruit, a bottle of water, cookies, nuts, etc.
  • Do not forget your personal documents and extra money for any activity that may arise.
  • In times of pandemics, it is necessary to always have your mask and facial protector.