As frozen in time, surrounded by the majestic Salkantay, Veronica and Soray is Chinchero, the tranquil village of weavers and, probably, the best preserved Andean traditions keeper -costumes, quechua and ancestral customs- wide Sacred Valley.
The villagers still live in Chinchero Inca constructions inherited from their ancestors, here stands out the Church of Our Lady of Monserrat, built in 1607, on what would have been the palace of Inca Tupac Yupanqui. Inside, we found an altar carved in gold leaf Baroque, dedicated to Our Lady of the Nativity. Its walls are decorated with works by Diego Quispe Tito, leader of the Cusco School.
The fabrics made by the people of Chinchero are loaded with symbolism and is a great way to keep alive their history, expressing, in their designs and colors, their knowledge about planting and harvesting seasons as well as the reproductive cycles of the herds, both transcendental activities for the community.
There are several shops in the village where you can see the textile production -process that develops in the same way that was done since the days of ethnic Killke before the Incas- and buy one of these looms full of history and Andean tradition.
Another attraction is the Chinchero Sunday market. In this fair, which lasts one day, the native settlers, dressed in colorful costumes, come down from their communities and crowd into the main square to exchange their products, some using the ancient technique of barter or exchange.
Chinchero is 28 km northwest of Cusco and is a must to learn more about the traditional customs of the Andes resident.
