The New 7 Wonders Foundation has attracted attention in the last years for its high-profile votes, and Peru has not done poorly in the rankings. Machu Picchu was honored by becoming one of the Modern 7 Wonders of the World in 2007, while the Amazon River achieved a spot on the Natural 7 Wonders of the World list in 2011 (the plaque is housed in Iquitos, Peru, the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon, although the honor itself goes to all of the countries through which the river passes).
Over the last year and half, the foundation has been collecting votes on their New 7 Wonders: Cities edition. In January of last year, the 1,200 initially nominated cities were whittled down to 300, while The next cut takes place September 21st and will leave only 28 finalists, and the final results will be announced on July 7th.
Of the 300 cities currently in the running, Cusco, Peru is currently ranking second! The city is already a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to a grand history still showcased in the city's architecture and culture. Once serving as the imperial capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco was conquered by the Spanish Conquistadores in the 16th century. In many cases, the bases of Incan buildings were preserved, those with the politically and religiously symbolic buildings were topped with baroque churches and palaces to emphasize the new Spanish and Catholic control. Many of the sites visited during city tours fit this pattern: former Inca palaces in the Plaza de Armas are now cathedrals, the Acclahuasi (House of Chosen Women) is now the Convent of Santa Catalina, and Qoricancha (the Sun Temple and religious center of Cusco) is now topped with the Convent of Santo Domingo. Other sites, such as the temple of Sacsayhuaman, remain to this day, although not in their entirety.
Because it acts as a base for travelers en route to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, Cusco's profile and popularity has risen greatly in the last years.
You can take part in the vote by visiting new7wonders.com.
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