Last day in Cusco 20 May 2015

Qorikancha (Golden Enclosure) Temple of the Sun

The most important place of worship in the Inca Empire.  Now a church, the Iglesia Santo Domingo, was once El Templo del Qoricancha - the Temple of the Sun, and the most magnificent complex in Cusco.  Walls there were covered in 700 sheets of gold studded with emeralds and turquoise, and windows were constructed so the sun would enter and cast a nearly blinding reflection off the precious metals inside.

Inca ruins, which form the base of the colonial church and convent of Santo Domingo.  Qorikancha was once the richest temple in Inca empire.  It was built to honor Inti or the Sun God

  

Exterior view

Display of masterpiece - carpet

The Seqe system of Cusco
Spanish chronicles describe a fabulous Hall of the Sun in Qoricancha and four chapels dedicated to lesser gods, including the moon, stars, thunder, and the rainbow.  The rainbow had special significance for the Inca, which was why the Inca flag displayed all the colors of the arco iris, and it remains a good omen today.

The Inca astronomy

Gold-plated walls flecked with previous stones.  The garden featured life-sized gold or silver statues of animals, local trees, and corn stalks.  Mummified bodies of noble Incas were kept here for centuries.

Then I went along the Av. El Sol

Pumaqchupan - the waterfall monument

And I found this nice restaurant selling organic food.  Fish fillet with rice and salad, and almond milk

Ran into a street lady selling annona, the appearance is a little different from what I know, but tasted as good.

 Monumento a Pachacutec, Ovalo Pachacutec, an Inca leader

On my way to search for Inka Express to reserve a bus ride to Pumo, I found many Chinese restaurant.  In here, I ordered a meal set and a bowl of soup noodle.  Badly I could not finish them.