Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-21
A PLACE OF GOLD.
The Ancient Capital Of Peru
Founded by the First Inca.
oLD-TIME MAGNIFICENCE.
Statues. Frieses and All the Appointments
OF the Temples Once Made Of Solid Silver
and Gold-WOrk In the Palaces OF the Incas
sim Shown In Modern Buildings.
From The Stars Travelling Commissioner.

4
From The Stars Travelling Commissioner.
Cuzco, Peru, 1891.
THE PRINCIPAL CHARM OF THIS EX-
| Il tremely picturesque but uncomfortable city
lies in its antiquity, and in the gIamor which
history and tradition have thrown around it.
So many centuries ago that the date is lost in
| the mists of fable, this now comparatively
empty portion Of Peru was swarming with one
| Of the richest and most powerful nations under
! the sun. Archeologists estimate that the enor-
NOUS population once herded in these narrow
valleys was far more numerous than that which
| today spreads over the whole area of the United
States. Not only in the valley Of Cuzco, but
scattered over hundreds of miles in all direc-
tions, may be seen the remains Of towns and
cities which, perhaps q thousand years ago.
were much more populous than any that now
exist in the country. A civilization was here
developed which has left memorials of its genius
and advancement carved in massive stone, and
evidences Of industry which their destroyers
have never initiated.
FOUNDED BY THE FIRST INCA.
Tradition tells US that Ouzco was founded by
the first Inca-Manco Capac-a supernatural
parsonage who came down from the sun heaven
en- purpose to consolidate all the tribes of the
surrounding country under one form of reiig-
lous government; that he was accompanied and
assisted by Mama Della. his sister, who also
his wife, and that the pair were directed by
their father, the sun, to make this the holy city
for his worship, as well as the royal capital Of
the new nation.
The present Plaza Mayor, in the center Of the
modern city, is undoubtedly the same great
central square OF Manco's day, though portion
OF 1t has been bull: upon; and long, narrow
streets cross each other at right angles, the
same as in ancient times. Two rivers that run
through it were inclosed by the earliest build
! ers between high walls, crossed by numerous
bridges formed of projecting stones Those
ancient wallis have never been renewed and
most Of the bridges yet in use, for modern
engineers say they could not be improved
! upon. Certainly their substantial character is
attested by the fact that the winds and rains of
many centuries have failed to injure them. At
frequent intervals along the walls stone steps
| lead down to the water, which are worn into
deep hollows by the feet of generations gone
to dust.
CYCLoPEAN TERRACES
Being built on unequal ground, the original
architects were compelled to make many ter
races in order to provide suitable sites for their
immense structures. They walled the terraces
! after the fashion called "Cyclopean," with
stones of irregular shape and size, all carefully
and some of these walls outline the streets to-
day. The poorer dwellings Of the common
people OF ancient times long since disappeared,
but the conquerors converted many of the tenn
pies and palaces into churches and converts.
| The old-time gateways were retained, and
though most of the better buildings now to be
seen are of comparatively recent origin, one finds
everywhere parts of Inca walls and strangely
! carved portals incorporated into the newer
houses. Francisco Pizzaro casa is an example
of this patchwork style of architecture, having
an imposing portal that far autedates his own
rather distant time.
THE GREAT CATHEDRAL.
Cuzco's great cathedral occupies the site Of
the ancient building which the eighth Inca
dedicated to the festivals of the people and
which the early chroniclers tell us wss large
enough for an entire regiment to exercise UNI
der its root. 1t was in this building that the
invaders, under Gonzalo Pizzaro, barricaded
themselves for that last battle with the Peru
vians which they knew would decide the fate Of
their campaign, as defeat meant death to every
one of them. According to q legend elabor-
ately carved over the main doorway Of the
cathedral the Spanish victory was due to San
Jago (St james,, who appeared at the critical
in the conflict for the overflow OF the
| "heathen."
THE CONVENT OF SANTA CATALINA.
The present convent of Santa Catalina was
established upon the site Of the palace Cor
PRISON. Of the Virgins Of the Sun, and Catholic
nuns take their daily airing in the very foot
steps of long dead vestals. Part of the walls of
| the Inca Huascar's palace were retained, and
enough remains Of the old building to give a
good idea Of how it must have looked early In
the twelfth century. In short, the carved and
polished stones of the splendid palaces of the
Inca nobility that once crowded their royal
capital have ever since served as an inexhaust-
ible quarry for the descendants OF those who
overthrow them. As Consul Miller states in his
| "a Siz nf thnc uxnv
the infinite variety OF their shapes and the in
imitabie workmanship they display give to the
city that interesting air of antiquity and ro-
nance which fills the mind with pleasing
thought aud painful veneration."
THE TEMPLE OF THE Sun.
Besides the central plaza there are a dozen
other spacious squares, wherein the old-time
population were accustomed to celebrate the
curious festivals of their religion and where the
people of today hold their iiestas and public
amusements. Being the ''holy CITY," pilgrims
from the farthest borders of the empire came
here to worship in the great Temple Of the Sun,
which, judging from all accounts, must have
been the most magnificent structure in the
new world and probably contained more treas
ure than any single ediice in the old Says
the historian: The most renowned Of the Pc
ruvian temples the pride Of the capital and
the wonder OF the empire, was at Cuzco, where
under the munificence Of successive sovereigns,
1t became SO enriched that it received the name
OF Coricancha or "place of gold;' and the
MONDAY sun in all its glory-of which 1t was in
tended to be a representation-could not sur
pass it in brillisncy." 1t consisted of princi-
pal building and several chapels, covering 9
large extent Of ground in the heart Of the city
and completely encompassed by high wall
also OF cut and polished stones The work was
SO finely executed that an early Spaniard de-
clared that he could call to mind but two edi-
fees in all Europe which would bear any COM
parison to it.
LITERALLY A NINE or GOLD.
The interior Of the temple was literally
mine Of gold. On its western wall was en-
blazoned o reminder Of the sun god-an enor-
nous figure Of the human face, made of pure
gold, from which golden rays darted in all
directions. The massive plate OF gold was
| thickly powdered with diamonds, emeraids and
other precious stones, and so situated in front
Of the great eastern portal that the RAYS of the
morning sun shone directly upon il, filing the
whole place with one blaze Of light and splendor
reflected back from the golden ornaments with
which the walls and ceilings were everywhere
| incrusted. In the fgurative language Of the
people, gold was ''tears wept by the SUM-" and
every part Of the interior of his temple glowed
with FURNISHED plates and studs Of the precious
| metal. Underneath the great golden face were
several chairs or thrones of solid gold, in which
were seated the embalmed bodies of the dead
Incas. The cornices which surrounded the
sanctuary walls were Of the same costly ma
| tcrial, and q broad belt or frieze of gold, let
| into the stone work, ran around the whole ex-
| terror.