Upon this Valley borders the Village Acos near a Moorish place full of Canes; but before you approach the Village you come near a high Plain, where the Ruines of an antient Structure appear; and somewhat farther the Palace Pico: from whence the High-way directs to the Bridge Angoyaca, which leads cross the River Xauxa; near which the Ingas had several magnificent Structures, and Baths of warm Springs. Not far from hence is the Village Picoy; between which and Angoyaca the Arm of the River Xauxa is cut with a Bridge, because in the Winter it glides so swift that they cannot Ferry over it.
From Picoy you go to the Wild, in whose Center stands the antient Castle Pucara, (which in the Peruvian Tongue signifies Invincible Fort) where the Ingas receiv’d their Tribute from the neighboring People that live amongst the snowy Mountains.
The Banks of the great River Vinaque are crown’d with the Ruines of antient Structures, which (as the Natives relate) were built by foreign People; which Assertion of theirs seems to be confirm’d by the form and manner of Building, differing from the Ingas Structures, which us’d to be long and narrow. Moreover, several sweet Streams, abounding with Fish, especially Crabs, glide through the Plain-Countrey out of the Mountains Andes.
Not far from hence appears the Plain Chapas, and the Palaces Pilcas, of which now nothing remains but a heap of Rubbish, which lies in the Center of Peru. A fresh-water River, which gives the fore-mention’d Palaces their Denomination, glides out of Soras, and washes the High-way and stately Temple of the Sun.
The Countrey Soras, exceeding fertile, and stock’d with Gold and Silver Mines, is inhabited by a People which go Cloth’d in woollen Cloth, and for their Valor formerly much esteem’d by the Ingas.
Those that inhabit the Countrey Uramar are call’d Chancas, whose Neighbors possess a long Tract of Land abounding with Cattel and Fruit, but of late are most of them destroy’d by the Spaniards.
The River Abanca, which takes its original in the Mountainous County Parinacocha, washes several Royal Buildings, and at last discharges its Waters into the River Xauxa.
On each side of the great River Apurima are erected two wonderful Stone Pillars, over which lies a most artificial Bridge built by the Ingas; from whence the Highway, being cut through hard Rocks, leads up into the Countrey; where the stately Buildings of Limatambo shew themselves; and beyond the Mountain Bilcaconga the Valley Xaquixaguana, inclos’d between high Rocks, comes in view, where the Ingas us’d to recreate themselves in their Banquetting-houses; from whence the Highway, which is Wall’d in on both sides, runs directly through deep Moorish Grounds to Cusco.
Peter Anzurez his Journey.
Eastward from Cusco, behind the Andes, are many large Countreys, which to discover the Spaniards spar’d neither trouble, danger, nor charge: between both they found vast Wildernesses, inaccessible Mountains, and overgrown Countreys; yet at last they opened four ways thither: the first whereof runs through the Valley Paquil to Tono, a Village in the middle of the Mountains; from thence to the River Opotazi, along which it is very troublesom travelling, because of the thick Woods and steep Rocks: lastly to the hot and fruitful Valley Abisca, and so to vast Wildernesses, overgrown with Brambles and Bushes, which prevented any farther Discovery. The second Way runs thirty Leagues farther to the Southward, through the Countreys Sandia, Camata and Caravaya, to Zama. Through this Way, Anno 1538. Peter Anzurez travell’d; setting out from Zama, he found many desolate Mountains, barren Wilds, and close Woods, through which he entred into the County Tacana, and from thence to the River Omapalchas, inhabited on both sides by the Cheriabones and Marquires, who oppos’d him in his crossing over the River; but meeting with nothing but barren Commons, he travell’d up along the River, and view’d the Countreys Moios, Cochabamba, and Chuguiabo, from whence he return’d to Collao, having lost most of his People by Hunger and Hardship. But not long after others went over the Andes to the Countreys which extend themselves East and West, some whereof travell’d through Camata, and others through Cochabamba.