ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of Cusco

Okay kiddo, let me tell you about Cusco, a city located in Peru, which used to be the capital of the Inca Empire. A long, long time ago, before you were even born, the Incas were a very powerful group of people who ruled over different parts of South America. Cusco was their most important city, and they built it with big stones and it looked very different than the cities we have now.

The Incas believed that the city was the center of the world, and they built many important structures there, like temples, palaces, and fortresses. They even built some amazing structures around Cusco, like the famous Machu Picchu, which is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world today!

However, as you may know, things don't always stay the same forever. In the 16th century, the Spaniards arrived and started to conquer the Inca Empire, which led to major changes in Cusco. The Spanish took over the city and built their own buildings, like churches and plazas, over many of the Inca structures.

Over time, the Spanish lost control of Cusco, and it became part of Peru. The city has continued to evolve and has grown to become a thriving tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to see its fascinating history and beautiful architecture.

So, Cusco has been through a lot of changes, and it's a reminder of how things can change over time, even when we think they'll stay the same forever. But even with all these changes, Cusco remains a magical place with a fascinating history!