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Seven Streets with the Number Seven in Cusco

Seven Cusco Streets

The City of Cusco is not only the gateway to Machu Picchu, but is much more than that: Its history, food, typical costumes, and more are a living legacy from the Incas era. One way to see that is by wandering around its lovely streets: We can assure you you’ll fall in love with the cobblestone paths, the narrow and mysterious streets of Cusco. 

The Importance of Number Seven

This number is seen worldwide as a symbol of order and organization, religions found their beliefs in this number, for example, according to catholicism, there are seven sacraments and seven deadly sins. Pythagoreans believed that the seven days of the week originated from the controlled vibrations that celestial bodies sent to manage the world, and this number is in musical notes. The rainbow, for example, had an important symbolic meaning for the Inca civilization. As you may know, it has seven colors, and they were used by the Incas in clothing, ornaments, etc.

Seven Streets with the Number seven on it

Siete Diablitos: The “Seven Little Devils Street” is silent and tranquil, located in the San Blas Neighborhood, it was once popular for couples who sought a private spot as it’s far from the city center, making it a romantic hideaway where young couples used to meet. 

Later, this led to local tales about couples “tempted by the devil” to perform indecent acts that led to pregnancies for every woman who passed on that street.  Although it has lost its charm for secret rendezvous due to increased traffic, some romantics still wander hoping to find their soulmate.

Siete Angelitos: The “Seven Little Angels Street” is the counterpart of the previous street. It’s located near Carmen Alto streets, also in the San Blas neighborhood. A religious cusqueño man called Blas de Bobadilla painted the figures of seven little angels on the roof of his building. However, the figure of an angel carved in high relief can also be seen in the same street.

Siete Cuartones: “The Seven Stone Beam Street” is located next to Saphy Street, where the famous Saphy River used to flow, you’ll find  “La Plaza de Armas” of Cusco. The seven stone beams, or “siete cuartones”, were once situated next to the stone and lime bridge built by Don Diego de Vargas y Carbajal, who put the name to this street.

Once upon a time, these stone blocks were placed end to end and next to the request window. At the corner of  Saphy and 7 Cuartones Street, there is currently just one of the seven stone blocks that once decorated the street. It seems that most of them have vanished due to wind, time, and poor maintenance.

Siete Culebras: “The Seven Snake Street” is located in the middle of a church and a monastery, in one of its stone inca walls there’s a small engraved of 14 snakes. A long time ago, this street was known as Callejón “Amaru Ccatta”, which means 14 snakes. There are seven in the lane and seven in the front of the plaza.

Because the alley is flanked by tall buildings, it only receives sunlight around midday, which provides a clear view of a narrow band of blue that represents the mountains. If you have a good eye, patience, and a little bit of luck, you can still find the carved serpents even though some of them have worn away over time.

Siete Ventanas: “The Seven Window Street” owes its name thanks to a house for religious studies owned by the San Agustin Monastery before it was demolished. That house had 4 large and 3 small windows. Currently, no house on this street has the same number of windows because all of them have suffered reconstruction.

Siete Mascarones:  “The seven mascaron” street is a tiny alley located between Almudena Street and the Parish of Santiago District. A long time ago, a  Spanish artisan named Mascareñas lived with his seven sons, he worked in casting bronze and copper pieces. Their designs were used as decorations for church doors, door nails, bells, and more. Although the street is somewhat neglected today, its name carries the history of that family, these pieces are still preserved today and can be seen in this street. 

Siete Borreguitos: We have the best for the end with “The Seven Lamb Street”. This street changed its name three times, as it was originally known as Chita Pata in Quechua, then Borreguitos, and currently Palacios Street. It also links Choquechaca and Pumaq-Kurkun streets (today known as Pumacurco), and San Blas' Sapantiana drains to the San Cristóbal area. In the past, locals used to carry loads of pack animals such as sheep, llamas, and alpacas (mainly sheep) down this street's steep slope.

 This street has undergone numerous remodels to improve transit, nonetheless, llamas and alpacas can still be seen making their way to the San Cristóbal chapel. Tourists may snap pictures of girls carrying baby sheep on their backs and people dressed in traditional attire, and is considered the most instagrameable spot in Cusco, we recommend taking some shots in the gorgeous street!

We hope you can walk through all of these streets when you visit our city and make new memories! Viagens Machu Picchu will be more than glad to assist you in making our dreams come true in the ancient Inca Land.

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