Learn Spanish in Cusco
Perhaps the most important thing to know, if
you're thinking of going to learn Spanish in Cusco, is that the
city is situated at a great elevation: 3,360 metres, to be
exact. This means that, on arrival, you'll find that the air is
thin and clear, but, if you try to be too energetic at the
beginning, you may find yourself experiencing altitude
sickness, caused by a lack of oxygen in the air. The best thing
to do is to take things easy for the first three days or
so.
Cusco has a population of 325,000 inhabitants,
and is now known as the "Archaeological Capital of the
Americas" - formerly it was known by the Incas as the "Navel of
the World". That sounds a pretty compelling reason to learn
Spanish in Cusco, doesn't it? The history of the city goes back
to the thirteenth century, but its heyday was in the 15th
century, under the leadership of Pachacutec, who led the Incas
to conquer much of present-day Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and
Colombia. It was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors, under
Pizarro, in 1534 and now it's a mix of indigenous and colonial
styles, and of Indian and European peoples.
If you're going to learn Spanish in Cusco,
you'll no doubt visit all the main points of interest in and
around the city. The Plaza de Armas is the main square and is
now the heart of the city, as it has always been. The major
colonial buildings of Cusco are all built on the foundations,
remains, or walls of former Inca buildings. For example, the
Cathedral, begun in 1550 and finished 100 years later, was
constructed on the foundations of the Inca Viracocha's palace.
The Triunfo church, the first Christian church in Cusco, was
built to commemorate the Spaniards' lifting of the Inca siege
in 1536. And the nearby Compañía de Jesús church, originally
built in the 1570s, was then rebuilt between 1650 and 1668
after being destroyed by an earthquake. Finally, Santo Domingo
church was built, in the 17th century, on the walls of the
Koricancha, or Inca Temple of the Sun. Part of the building has
now been pulled down to reveal the original Inca stonework.
Just outside of Cusco you'll also find a host of wonderful Inca
spots or ruins, including Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent Inca
fortress that overlooks the city, Q'enko (Zigzag), Puca Pucara
(Red Fort), Tambomachay (Cavern Lodge) and the Sacred
Valley.
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Most people who go to learn Spanish in Cusco
take advantage of their visit to follow the Inca Trail to Machu
Picchu at the end of their course. This is a 4-day hike
surrounded by beautiful mountainous and jungle scenery, and
passing several Inca ruins. There's a shorter, 2-day version of
the Inca trail, but this misses some of the most beautiful
scenery. Or, if you don't have much time, you can take a day
visit by train and bus. So, come to learn Spanish in Cusco and
learn all about the Incas at the same time!
Spanish Language Schools in Cusco
At the moment ABT does not have a recommended
Spanish school in Cusco.
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