The capital city of Cuzco was the heart of the empire. It was situated about 11,000 feet above sea level high in the Andes Mountains. It was a beautiful city. There were palaces, temples, schools, houses, and government buildings. It had gardens filled with exotic herbs, trees, and flowers. There was a huge public square for ceremonies and gatherings. The streets were paved. Water was brought in by aqueducts to supply the palaces. (The Incas took frequent baths.) Most of the buildings were made of stone. The Incan were master builders. Their stonework is shaped so that each piece fit together perfectly, without the use of mortar. Inca stonework is still regarded as the best in the world. Building stones were quarried in the mountains. Thousands of men were organized to hack out enormous blocks and to transport them to building sites. The city was always under construction. Each emperor ordered a new palace to be built for his use. They had to, actually, as the palaces of the former Incas were still in use. The Incas believed in an afterlife. The mummy of a former Inca was housed in his palace. To wait on him, his servants and family continued to live in the palace. So new Incas had to build their own palace. The famed Temple of the Sun was in the center of the city. The temple had six chapels built around a central courtyard. The walls were made of perfectly fitted stone covered with sheets of gold. Cuzco was the seat of government as well as a city. It was a busy place. Messengers traveled back and forth with news from across the empire. Armies, engineers, priests, and administrators arrived and left again, traveling to wherever in the empire they were needed. Llama trains arrived with loads of food and goods. There were religious celebrations every month. Cuzco was the home of the Sapa Inca, as well as the home of all former Sapa Incas, who were still in residence in spirit. The emperor lived in his palace with his family. His most important administrators lived in the palace as well. Only important visitors and noblemen had access to the emperor. Few commoners, except carefully selected servants, were ever seen in the city. Less important officials lived in the suburbs outside the city. They reported to higher up administrators, who reported to higher up administrators, who ultimately reported to the Sapa Inca. A massive fortress guarded the city. You had to pass through a huge tollgate to enter the city. The gateway guards checked everyone who came and went. They noted everything coming in. They made sure nothing precious was removed from the city without permission. The guards also kept their eye on the criminals positioned at the city gate. As part of their punishment, criminals had to tell their tales of crime and punishment to all those who entered and left the city. This was to remind the people of what would happen if you broke the law. Not very many of the common people lived in the city. Most of the people were farmers. They lived in farming communities. The only people who actually lived in or just outside the city were the artisans who made artwork for the temples. People who lived nearby might travel into town for festivals or business. But the city was mainly used for the government. Return to The Incredible Incas for Kids