Diario las Américas., 1958-01-15
Know thv
Neigh.borI
By ANTONIO RUIZ

PERU - Among the many in
teresting ruins that in Cuzco, an
cient capital of the Inca Empire,
bear witness to the high degree
of civilization attained by the In
cas-, the Temple of the Sun is per-
haps the most perfect work of the
South American Indians, as far as
architectural advance is concern
ed. 1t was called in the Quechua
language "Intiwasi," or House of
the Sun, and was one of the few
buildings that we're not totally de-
stroyed by the Spanish conquerorS.
Upon its marvellous walls the
Monastery of Santo Domingo was
erected, but there r still COM
plete portions that permit a re-
construction of the splendid struc-
ture which served as model for all
other temples of the sun built in
every town which, under the rule
of the Incas, was governed from
CuZco.
This original Temple of the Sun
was built on the top OF a small
hill, having at the east and west
two rivers which flow through the
city. A series of terraces formed
the structure, and shrines devot-
ed to worship of the sun were
built on the wide upper platform.
These shrines formed the Sanctu-
airy of the sun, which rose toward
the north on the uppermost ter
race.
On the lover level, there were
different Sanctuaries built to the
Moon and Venus, in the west, while
in the east there were those to the
Rambou and the constellation OF
the Pleiades. On the south side
there were no buildings. The group
formed by the five SanctuarieS was
surrounded by an unbroken wall
curved at the extreme west, which
served as base for the sun clock,
or "Intawana," a tower containing
1872 steps. On the lower level, to
the south, were the chambers of
the priests, and still further, the
stall of the llamas kept there for
the daily sacrifices to the gods.
Another interesting building in
Cuzco is the House of the Chosen
Women" a large building occupied
by hundreds of women selected
from all the provinces of the EN-
pire, who were sheltered there as
a remarkable tribute to the sun
and to the Emperor of Cuzco.
The most beautiful women were
educated from childhood in this
building in all femenine chores.
such as weaving, preparation OF
kinds of food and drinks, religion,
and domestic service. They were
classified into various categories,
from Virgins of the Sun, dedicated
exclusively to the worship of the
deity, and upon whom not even
the all powerful Inca dared to cast
an eye, to those who were dedicat.
ed to the different chores and ser
vices of the Court, such as Ladies
of the Empress, wardrobe girls and
the landmarks of her royal hus
band.
In Ajillwasi, the Quechua name
for the House of the Chosen Wo
men, there were numerous enclos
ures, beautiful and well kept gar,
deals, orchards, and fountains. All
kinds of domestic animals, as well
as cubs of wild beasts, were raised
there. The western part of the
there. The western part of the
building and other interior and
exterior walls still exist.
The entire group of buildings
dedicated to worship was within
tbe Imperial City and had ire
name of Orikancha, which mean!
Golden Wall, based IN historical
evidence proving that ornaments
of these huge buildings consisted
of sheets of the precious meta
The SpaniardS arrive in time &c
seize a part of this enormous
treasure.
! Spanish Version Page 8