Peru Cusco Travel Guide - Peru Hotels - Cusco Hotels - Machu Picchu Tours
This area of the city is really appreciated since colonial times, because of the beauty and the attractiveness it has, with the narrow streets and colonial decorated houses, this is why is consider the best tourist area of Cusco.
Located about four blocks from the main square in Cusco, this quarter is considered one of the most colorful ones in Cusco. It's characterized for its streets that zigzag between the huge colonial houses that were built in the Inca walls. This place is also known as the artist quarter, because it has many artists that reside there, some of them very well known and some that will.
This area of the city is really appreciated since colonial times, because of the beauty and the attractiveness it has, with the narrow streets and colonial houses that are decorated, this is why is consider the best tourist area of Cusco. This will leave the tourist with an unforgettable memory of this colorful quarter and also some great pictures.
Arriving to San Blas is like crossing to a magic world. The paved and steep streets, the whitish walls, the blue balconies which flowerpots are dangling and the gap roofs with tiles, offer to the tourist a different and a pleasant experience.
San Blas, also called "The Balcony of Cusco". With friendly people which have a unique pride about living there. At San Blas, many popular art displays have appeared like: silver engraved, stone and wood carved, sculpture, doll making, gold, mask making, useful ceramics, architectural, grotesque and many others.
San Blas was one of the settlements of the "Mitimaes" (ancient craftsman of the Inka Period), which were towns moved by Inkas of one place to another, this town had a special command: yachay, Quechua word which means "teach and learn"; this town established in the Toqachui Hill (nowadays, San Blas Quarter) teaching their art to the local craftsman: goldsmiths of the Chimu Culture which teach the art of the "enchapado" and the production of gold sculptures. The special feature of San Blas is to be inhabited by craftsman.
The modernization stages also reach to San Blas Quarter, mainly after the devastating earthquake of 1950, the last renovation was on 1993 and it has the purpose of put in value the architectonic complex and to satisfy the necessities of the pedestrian urban inhabitant. In the course of the time, San Blas haven't lost its physiognomy; it still has a particular colonial style established in the heart of a contemporary city.
Saturday Fair
One of the best opportunities that the Tourist will have is the Saturday Fair from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon at San Blas Quarter. Furthermore enjoying the charm of this quarter you would admire a great selection of art and handicrafts offered by the craftsman themselves associated in the "Asociación de Artesanos".
How to get to San Blas?
San Blas is some blocks form the Main Square, which is why it will take you just 15 minutes to arrive to the most picturesque quarter of Cusco.
