486 smithsonian miscellaneous collections vol. 102 



Chapter XLII (43) 



Of the City of Leon de Huanuco el Viejo. 



1361. The city [of Leon] of Huanuco [de Los Caballeros] 

 (Marg. : el Viejo) is 60 leagues E. of the city of Lima. It was first 

 founded by Gomez de Alvarado at the instance of Marques Don 

 Francisco Pizarro in the year 1539 on a wide and attractive plain 

 with beautiful views, although without one tree because of the cold 

 climate in that region ; there were large buildings there of excellent 

 stone construction, royal country palaces of the Inca kings, and a 

 fort, all of hewn stone and 2 stades high, like a well-planned strong- 

 hold, which would hold over 4,000 men ; all around were many out- 

 buildings, beginning with two galpones or halls, each large enough to 

 contain a racecourse, and with many doors ; this must have been 

 where the Indian chiefs and lords were lodged, when visiting the 

 kings ; at present they are used for stabling cattle. Between these 

 two large halls one enters a square plaza, fenced in ; opposite these 

 two gates there were and still are two other gates, well built of hewn 

 stone, with the insignia of the kings, and a slab on top over 3 varas 

 long and well carved, serving as an arch for the gates ; these gates 

 stood opposite each other and 10 feet apart. Farther on is another 

 enclosed plaza, very well laid out, with two other gates, one in front 

 of the other ; then another plaza like the preceding, with two other 

 gates beyond, of the same hewn stone. From outside, all the gates 

 could be seen, and many apartments and private rooms, all in hewn 

 stone, and some baths ; doubtless this was where the king lived ; and 

 there were other large buildings, with a wall encircling all the settle- 

 ment. To see such elaborate ruins rouses pity and compassion, con- 

 sidering that all those who built them were lost souls, not having 

 known God. The city was established here for some 2 years, but 

 was abandoned on account of the wars which ensued, and the cold 

 climate and the lack of wood. This valley has a level stretch over 

 8 leagues long, with large cattle and sheep ranches today ; where the 

 city was established there is at present a tambo or tavern with a few 

 Indians to run it for the accommodation of travelers, since it is on 

 the King's Highway ; and this site keeps the name of Huanuco 

 el Viejo. 



Chapter XLHI [44] (45) 



Of the Founding of the City of Leon de Huanuco. 



1362. Later, Capt. Pedro Barroso, acting under orders of Don 

 Francisco Pizarro, founded the city where it is today, 15 leagues S. 



