TOPOGRAPHY OF PERU. 339 



temple of the Sun, which contained a solid gold image of the day- star. Amongst 

 the scientific and literary institutions are a university, a library and a museum 

 of antiquities. 



From the archaeological standpoint the eminence overlooking Cuzco is fully 

 as interesting as the city itself. On the first terrace are seen the ruins of the 

 Colcampata palace, attributed by tradition to Manco Capac, first of the Incas, 

 reputed civiliser of the Quichuas. But however this be, the remains present 

 extremely curious architectural features, particularly in their recesses and door- 

 ways, resembling the pylons of Egyptian temples. A much weathered figure 

 of a siren projects in one place beyond the face of the wall. 



On the crest of the hill, rising 745 feet above the square, stands the citadel 

 of Sacsahuaman, which was erected by the great chieftain Viracocha. It com- 

 prises three concentric ramparts formed by blocks of a dark limestone, which 

 are joined together as nicely as the cubes of a piece of Roman mosaic- work. 

 The walls, which have been partly demolished and rolled down block by block 

 to the foot of the hill as building materials for the modern city, were disposed at 

 projecting and receding angles, so as to present two fronts to the enemy advanc- 

 ing from any single point. Here the Incas long held out against the Spanish 

 force led by Hernando Pizarro. Near Sacsahuaman rise the steep rocky slopes 

 of Rodadero, carved into flights of steps, seats, and terraces. From both hills a 

 splendid view is afforded of the city, the surrounding verdant plain dotted over 

 with villages, the smiling Yilcanota valley, the white cone of Azungato, and in the 

 distance the frowning heights of the snowy cordillera. 



The Spaniards had entered Cuzco in 1532, and for the natives the anniversary 

 of the Conquest long remained a day of mourning. Years after the event the 

 old men on that day laid their ears to the ground, listening for the roaring waters 

 which were suddenly to rise from the underground lake and overwhelm the 

 invaders. During the religious processions, when the multitude devoutly followed 

 the great crucifix of Nuestro Seuor de los Temhlores, prayers may even have been 

 addressed to the " Lord of Earthquakes " to overturn the desecrated city. 



Nowhere else has the old cult left so many memories in the hearts of the 

 people. During lunar eclipses the women implore Father Sun with much moaning 

 not to devour Mother Moon. Under the Spanish rule many noble families had 

 gradually given an aristocratic air to the old Inca city ; but after the War of 

 Independence nearly all emigrated, and most of the old palaces, more or less 

 debased, are now occupied by Quichua half-breeds. But a revival must take 

 place when the ancient City of the Sun will be placed in direct railway communi- 

 cation with the Pacific Ocean by the Arequipa line. 



Ollantaï-tambo — Sarayacu — Omagua. 



Puins are also numerous in the environs. The original kingdom of the Incas, 

 at first of small extent, was here defended by fortresses, whose remains are still 

 seen on the Apurimac, the Vilcanota and the Paucartambo. Ollantaï-tambo, 



