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History of Chichubamba

The region of Chichubamba has a very rich history not only culturally, but in the areas of history, archeology and antiquities as well.

History of the Community

The community of Chichubamba, meaning ¨Fertile Plain¨, is located directly beside the city of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley in Peru. There are approximately 240 members of the community who make a living mainly through subsistence farmers. The community has a rich history and is documented to have existed since at least the mid 1500s, and likely earlier as Chichubamba is the location of the Tambo de Qéspiwanca, built during the reign of the Incan King Huayna Capac (1497 to 1523). Reference was first made of the community of Chichubamba in a survey done in the year 1552. The survey stated, ¨the tombs in Q'espiwanca belong to Hauyna Capac. They are located to the side of a stream called Chicon (Tullumayo) and they were found adjacent to a field and reservoir that also belonged to the Inca.¨ Further writings by Horacio Villanueva Urtega indicated: “On the right-hand side toward the sierra there is a town of Indians in the natural curl of this valley which is all their land. They arrived and saw the land of Quispiguanca which they called Chichobamba (lands of Urubamba). They say the finished the lands of Chichobamba of the other part of a road there are some tombs that they call Quispeguanca and was for Huayna Capac”

Cultural History:

For hundreds of years the Sacred Valley and the area in and around Chichubamba have been inhabited by unique cultures. From Pre-Columbian times, through the Incas and into the present Chichubamba has been an important community for both trade and agriculture in the region. Many of the residents live and work in much the same way as their descendents did hundreds of years ago. From farming the land using only animals and simple tools to making clay from the local rocks for pottery, or drying and fermenting corn for chicha, taking a tour of Chichubamba is taking a tour through history. Through their informative and interactive workshops the residents of Chichubamba demonstrate how the Incans lived their daily lives, allowing the visitor to learn more about the Incan culture, and the current culture who live in Chichubmba today.

Ties to the Incans:

A drawing of the Incan king Huayna Capac by the famous historian Felipe Guaman Poma De Ayala.

The Incan King Huayna Capac

The Palace of Q’espiwanca and Huayna Capac

Located in Chichubamba are the ruins of the Temple of Q’espiwanca. The temple was built by the last great Incan king Huayna Capac (1493-1527). Huayna Capac resided in the Sacred Valley during his reign, and was the last Incan king to rule over a united empire. Huayna Capac was responsible for extending the Incan Empire southward into northern Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, and northward into Ecuador. During a military campaign in Ecuador Huayna Capac fell ill, likely from smallpox, and died in Quito along with his son, and heir to the throne, Ninan Cuyuchi. A struggle for control of the Incan empire ensued between two of Huayna Capac’s other sons, Athualpa and Huáscar. Initially Huáscar ruled the southern portion of the empire, and Athualpa the northern portion. Though, after Huáscar, believing himself to be the true Incan king, demanded Athualpa swear an oath to him, civil war erupted. Athualpa eventually won the civil war at the battle of Chimborazo, but within a year the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro killed Athualpa and the Incan empire fell into Spanish hands.

Archeological History

Los Tambos el Qéspiwanca (The palace of Qéspiwanca)

The Palace of Qéspiwanca is located adjacent to the Avenida Mariscal Castilla and the historic cemetery of Urubamba. The Palace covered an area of seven hectares and included many buildings of various sizes, fields, walls, irrigation systems and even an artificial lake. The ruins of many of these structures are still standing, and many of the Incan built walls and irrigation systems are still used by the residents of Chichubamba today. The palace was built by the last great Incan king Huayna Capac, and was situated in a very strategic location in the Sacred Valley. The palace was constructed on the road that linked the Incan capital of Cusco to the city of Quito in present day Ecuador. As well the palace was located in an area were three Incan tribes lived. The palace was an important resting spot for soldiers. Much of the land covered by the palace was farmed by tribes loyal to the Incan king. The Regional Institute of Culture – Cusco has been active in leading research expeditions to learn more about the area. From the ruins we hope to gain a better understanding of our community, of the communities before us, and of how the Incan people lived there daily lives. While in Chichubamba discover the ruins for yourself with a tour of these magnificent ruins.

The ruins of the main gatehouse at Los Tambos del Qéspiwanca.

The remains of the wall of niches.

Los Dos Torres (The Two Towers)

Atop the Sayhua (Ito) ridge stand the remains of Los Dos Torres. Built by the Incans these towers, directly overlooking the town of Chichubamba, served as important watchtowers to monitor activities in the Sacred Valley and to warn the towns below of a coming invasion. While in Chichubamba enjoy a two hour hike to the top of the Sayhua (Ito) ridge and Los Dos Torres. From the top enjoy breath taking 360 degree of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba, the Valley of Chaquihuayjo and the Chicón Glacier!

Hypothetical reconstruction of Qéspiwanca

The picture to the right shows an artist’s hypothetical rendition of the palace of Qéspiwanca as it may have looked like when it was originally built. In the center of the facing wall is the main gate; while on either side are two secondary entrances. Today only the base and a few walls of these gates remain standing, though much of the walls remain. The left hand wall shows what is known as the Muro de hornacinas, or Wall of niches. This wall is still standing today and forms the southern most wall of the Urubamba cemetery and is located along the street of the Inca. In front of this wall was the Great Plaza, though only very small portions remains today as houses and business have been built upon the site.


History of Chichubamba
The region of Chichubamba has a very rich history not only culturally, but in the areas of history, archeology and antiquities as well.
History of the Community
	The community of Chichubamba, meaning ¨Fertile Plain¨, is located directly beside the city of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley in Peru. There are approximately 240 members of the community who make a living mainly through subsistence farmers. The community has a rich history and is documented to have existed since at least the mid 1500s, and likely earlier as Chichubamba is the location of the Tambo de Qéspiwanca, built during the reign of the Incan King Huayna Capac (1497 to 1523). Reference was first made of the community of Chichubamba in a survey done in the year 1552. The survey stated, ¨the tombs in Q'espiwanca belong to Hauyna Capac. They are located to the side of a stream called Chicon (Tullumayo) and they were found adjacent to a field and reservoir that also belonged to the Inca.¨ Further writings by Horacio Villanueva Urtega indicated: “On the right-hand side toward the sierra there is a town of Indians in the natural curl of this valley which is all their land. They arrived and saw the land of Quispiguanca which they called Chichobamba (lands of Urubamba). They say the finished the lands of Chichobamba of the other part of a road there are some tombs that they call Quispeguanca and was for Huayna Capac”
Cultural History:
For hundreds of years the Sacred Valley and the area in and around Chichubamba have been inhabited by unique cultures. From Pre-Columbian times, through the Incas and into the present Chichubamba has been an important community for both trade and agriculture in the region. Many of the residents live and work in much the same way as their descendents did hundreds of years ago. From farming the land using only animals and simple tools to making clay from the local rocks for pottery, or drying and fermenting corn for chicha, taking a tour of Chichubamba is taking a tour through history. Through their informative and interactive workshops the residents of Chichubamba demonstrate how the Incans lived their daily lives, allowing the visitor to learn more about the Incan culture, and the current culture who live in Chichubmba today.
Ties to the Incans:
A drawing of the Incan king Huayna Capac by the famous historian Felipe Guaman Poma De Ayala. The Incan King Huayna Capac	The Palace of Q’espiwanca and Huayna Capac Located in Chichubamba are the ruins of the Temple of Q’espiwanca. The temple was built by the last great Incan king Huayna Capac (1493-1527). Huayna Capac resided in the Sacred Valley during his reign, and was the last Incan king to rule over a united empire. Huayna Capac was responsible for extending the Incan Empire southward into northern Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, and northward into Ecuador. During a military campaign in Ecuador Huayna Capac fell ill, likely from smallpox, and died in Quito along with his son, and heir to the throne, Ninan Cuyuchi. A struggle for control of the Incan empire ensued between two of Huayna Capac’s other sons, Athualpa and Huáscar. Initially Huáscar ruled the southern portion of the empire, and Athualpa the northern portion. Though, after Huáscar, believing himself to be the true Incan king, demanded Athualpa swear an oath to him, civil war erupted. Athualpa eventually won the civil war at the battle of Chimborazo, but within a year the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro killed Athualpa and the Incan empire fell into Spanish hands.
Archeological History
Los Tambos el Qéspiwanca (The palace of Qéspiwanca) The Palace of Qéspiwanca is located adjacent to the Avenida Mariscal Castilla and the historic cemetery of Urubamba. The Palace covered an area of seven hectares and included many buildings of various sizes, fields, walls, irrigation systems and even an artificial lake. The ruins of many of these structures are still standing, and many of the Incan built walls and irrigation systems are still used by the residents of Chichubamba today. The palace was built by the last great Incan king Huayna Capac, and was situated in a very strategic location in the Sacred Valley. The palace was constructed on the road that linked the Incan capital of Cusco to the city of Quito in present day Ecuador. As well the palace was located in an area were three Incan tribes lived. The palace was an important resting spot for soldiers. Much of the land covered by the palace was farmed by tribes loyal to the Incan king. The Regional Institute of Culture – Cusco has been active in leading research expeditions to learn more about the area. From the ruins we hope to gain a better understanding of our community, of the communities before us, and of how the Incan people lived there daily lives. While in Chichubamba discover the ruins for yourself with a tour of these magnificent ruins.	The ruins of the main gatehouse at Los Tambos del Qéspiwanca. The remains of the wall of niches.
	Los Dos Torres (The Two Towers) Atop the Sayhua (Ito) ridge stand the remains of Los Dos Torres. Built by the Incans these towers, directly overlooking the town of Chichubamba, served as important watchtowers to monitor activities in the Sacred Valley and to warn the towns below of a coming invasion. While in Chichubamba enjoy a two hour hike to the top of the Sayhua (Ito) ridge and Los Dos Torres. From the top enjoy breath taking 360 degree of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba, the Valley of Chaquihuayjo and the Chicón Glacier!
Hypothetical reconstruction of Qéspiwanca
The picture to the right shows an artist’s hypothetical rendition of the palace of Qéspiwanca as it may have looked like when it was originally built. In the center of the facing wall is the main gate; while on either side are two secondary entrances. Today only the base and a few walls of these gates remain standing, though much of the walls remain. The left hand wall shows what is known as the Muro de hornacinas, or Wall of niches. This wall is still standing today and forms the southern most wall of the Urubamba cemetery and is located along the street of the Inca. In front of this wall was the Great Plaza, though only very small portions remains today as houses and business have been built upon the site.