The Plaza San Francisco features a stone fountain at its center and the stark, white facade of the church and convent of the same name. During the colonial era, this space functioned as the western gateway to Cusco, where travelers…
San Pedro Market Bustle
We'll wander through Cusco's liveliest trading post and its surrounding plazas, soaking in the sensory overload of fresh produce, traditional medicine, and Andean street life. It's a quick, immersive dive into the colors, smells, and sounds of daily commerce where Cusco residents actually shop.
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1. Plaza San Francisco
2. Arco de Santa Clara
The Arco de Santa Clara features a distinctive, neoclassical pediment topped with a statue of a soldier holding a Peruvian flag. Built in eighteen thirty-five during the brief confederation between Peru and Bolivia, the arch marks the…
3. St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church features a heavy, sober stone facade that stands apart from the decorative flourishes of many colonial buildings in Cusco. It originally served as the hospital for the indigenous population of the city, founded in the…
4. Plazoleta San Pedro
A heavy stone archway stands at the entrance to the Plazoleta San Pedro, marking the threshold between the city streets and the market square. Inside, vendors sell everything from local cheeses to medicinal herbs beneath rows of tall,…
5. Mercado Central de San Pedro
The Mercado Central de San Pedro sits beneath a massive iron roof designed by Gustave Eiffel. Inside, thousands of vendors manage stalls piled high with pyramids of bright yellow corn, piles of medicinal herbs, and rows of alpaca wool…
6. Mercado Cascaparo Chico
The Mercado Cascaparo Chico stands out for the distinct, rhythmic pattern of its corrugated metal roof, which dips and peaks over a sprawling, chaotic interior. Unlike the polished markets designed for tourists, this building serves as a…
7. Calle Nueva
Calle Nueva is a narrow, steep thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of Cusco, marked by its distinct stone-paved incline and the heavy wooden colonial balconies hanging over the street. Long ago, this path functioned as a critical…