If any one coming out of another Countrey, setled himself in Cusco, as it hapned daily, he was permitted to dwell no where but in that Ward which fronted his native Countrey. The four high Streets, which through these Wards one way fall into the Market-place, being in the middle of the City, are the other way answerable to the four principal High-ways, viz. that which leads to Quito and Pasto, through Chinchasuyo; to Arehuipa, through Condesuyo; to the Mountains Andes, through Andesuyo; and to Chili, through Collasuyo. The two Rivers before mention’d, which part at the East end of the City, are pass’d over with divers Bridges. The narrow Streets are full of Stone Houses, built in good Order. In several places are Vaulted Cellars under Ground, in some of which are buried great Treasures: they had been formerly the Habitations for Necromancers and Soothsayers; for this sort of People were once in great esteem amongst the Inhabitants, who coming from Chili, Pasto, Bocamores, Topona, Bombon, Charcas, Collao, Chiachiapoias, Conchucos, and other Peruvian Countreys, receive great benefit from the fresh Water, and from the Corn-Mills built on the Streets through the City.
The antient Palaces and other stately Structures in Cusco.
The stately Palaces which the Peruvian Nobility have at several times built in Oren-Cusco, being one part of the City, are very wonderful, the Owners whereof were forc’d by the Ingas to appear at Court at Set-times, that so he might prevent all Insurrections: Also he caus’d the Children of the prime Lords to be brought up in Cusco, under pretence that they might learn the Cuscoan Tongue perfectly, in which the Ingas would always be spoken to; whenas their Design was to keep them as Hostages in their own Jurisdictions, that their Fathers might not rebel; by which means it hapned, that in most places of Peru, which amongst the several Tribes and Principalities had several Languages, the Cuscoan Tongue was understood and spoken. But the Spaniards, who are the present Possessors thereof, have alter’d and repair’d most of the ordinary Houses, which are now neatly built of Stone. Above all the old Structures, the Palace of the Ingas, and the Temple of the Sun, are the most magnificent; the Palace lies inclos’d within a square quadruple Wall, each corner whereof is adorn’d and strengthned with a Tower: The Palace it self is built round, and with Arches; but that which chiefly amazes the Beholder, is to see how the Stones, which are so big that forty Horses are not able to stir one of them out of its place, were brought thither by the Labor of the Builders from the neighboring Mountains; for the Peruvians never made use of any laboring Beast, except their Sheep Pacos, not knowing the use of Horses, Camels, Oxen, Elephants, or the like, before the Spaniards coming thither. The Halls within the Palace were Wainscoted with Golden Plates: yet the Inga’s Apparel was not answerable to the rest of his Pomp; for in stead of a Crown they bound their Heads about with a red woollen Sash, with which they almost cover’d their Eyes; at the end of the Sash hung certain Ribbands, which they gave the Governor as occasion offer’d, that by this Sign, as by a Commission, they might exercise their Offices; the sight of which String caus’d such Obedience, that if the Inga had commanded the Inhabitants of a Town or Countrey to murder themselves, none durst deny. The Inga was generally carried by a hundred of his Noble-men, of whom if any one had accidentally chanc’d to stumble, he was immediately put to death. No man durst presume to look him in the Face, or speak to him without a Present.
The Temple Curicanche.
A cruel Battel between two Brothers.
The Temple Curicanche, Dedicated to the Sun, was certainly the most rich and sumptuous that ever the World boasted, it being Govern’d by the Chief Priest Villanoa. The Inga Guainacava spent an invaluable Treasure in the building of this Structure, for he cover’d the Roof and Walls with thick Plates of massie Gold and Silver. At his return home from the Conquest of the Province of Quito, from whence the Inhabitants, according to an antient Custom of the Ingas, were carried to one of the remotest Countreys in Peru. But Guainacava enamor’d of a Quitoan Maid, staid a considerable time in the City Quito, and kept a splendid Wedding at the Marriage of his Bride, who bare unto him the famous Attabaliba, whom he lov’d beyond all his other Children, and a little before his death made him King of Quito. But Huascar after Guainacava’s Decease would not suffer his Brother to live in the late conquer’d Kingdom of Quito, but gave him Battel in the Plain of Tomebamba, which lasted three days and three Nights, and after much Blood-shed, Attabaliba being defeated was taken Prisoner, and not long after making his Escape by the help of an antient Woman (whilest Huascar’s Commanders and Soldiers rejoyc’d with Cups full of Chica for their gotten Victory) he made his Subjects in Quito believe, that he being transform’d into a Serpent, crept through a little Hole out of the Prison; and that he had a Promise from Heaven to obtain Conquest over Huascar; which being believ’d, stirr’d up all his Subjects to take up Arms, and valiantly to go and meet the Enemy, whom they not onely defeated, but took Huascar Prisoner.
Zaires the Son of Mango Inga submits to the Spaniards.
Huascar being destroy’d by Attabaliba, and Attabaliba by Pizarro, Mango Inga their youngest Brother took the Government upon him, made continual Sallies upon the Spaniards from inaccessible Mountains, and at his Decease left the remaining part of Peru to his Son Zaires Topa; who seeing no good to be done by force of Arms, submitted himself freely to the King of Spain’s Jurisdiction in the Year 1557. since which the Spaniards have been sole Masters.
There are at this day four great Churches in Cusco: Also the Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustines, and the Monks De la Merced, have each of them stately Cloysters here: but the Jesuits Structure exceeds all the other.
Above forty thousand Peruvians pay annual Tribute to this City. In the Valley about the City feed abundance of Cattel; also Wheat, and all manner of Herbs grow here in great plenty. The Gold and Silver-Mines have not that resort which they had formerly, most of the Workmen being remov’d to Potosi.