Cuzco - Three Levels of Masonary - Peru
Cuzco has
a claim to be one of the oldest cities in the world, as almost
as much of its still standing architecture is ancient Peruvian
as modern; the ancient portions however, seldom extending above
the lower courses. But in one narrow street at least, the Callejon
de Loreto, the prehistoric masonry towers up to a height of
20 feet or more throughout the whole of its length and on both
sides, a wonderful vision of strength and durability. In parts
of the town three separate strata may be seen; first a fe courses
of polygenal masonry, next a layer of Inca architecture consisting
of smaller and squared but still beautifully laid blocks, and
finally, to crown the whole, some haphazard and flimsy dwelling
houses of today.
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