Cusco was the heart of the Inka universe
It was the capital of the Inka Empire and the principal seat of religion. It was the center of the empire and the universe.

From Cusco's main plaza, the roads of the Qhapaq Ñan stretched out to the four regions of Tawantinsuyu.

A Road for Administration
The Inka used the Qhapaq Ñan to mobilize the labor force, to transport raw materials and crops for the empire and its people, and to serve the state's many other needs—including military campaigns to conquer territory and quell rebellions.

A Road for Religion
The Inka extended the Inti (or Father Sun) religion to the four regions of their empire. Natural resources of conquered lands provided rich offerings to Inti. As the Inka walked, he consecrated the Qhapaq Ñan.

The Height of the Empire's Expansion
Between 1470 and 1532, three Inka rulers led ambitious military campaigns to expand Inka territory. Extending from Colombia to Chile and into Argentina, the kingdom of Cusco became the empire Tawantinsuyu.