[5] When the Inca Empire conquered the area they constructed a large complex on a mountain ridge overlooking where the current town is now located.

[5] In this role it would support his panaca (family and descendants), provide a secluded royal retreat located well away from Cusco where he and the nobility could relax between military campaigns, undertake ritual and religious ceremonies, serve as a refuge in times of danger as well as commemorating his victories over the Cuyos.

[10] The town is located in the district of Pisac, province of Calca at the southern end of the Sacred Valley at an altitude of 2,972 metres (9,751 ft), 32 kilometres (20 mi) northeast of Cusco.

In recent times, the INC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura), in a controversial move, demolished the church order to reconstruct it in its original colonial style.

After the garden was declared part of Peru's historical heritage by the Minister of Culture, Felipe Marín's son José has opened it to the public.

The market is at its biggest on Sunday when indigenous Quechua communities from the surrounding area come to town to sell their produce (much of which are completely organic) and stock up on supplies for the week.

Located on the road to the south, that leads to the Ñustayoc hill is a rock formation which according is legend is the remains of the Princess Inquill carrying bags on her back.

According to Inca legend[12] it is said that the chief Huayllapuma[13] and his people suffered from attacks by the Antis, who took the opportunity in the rainy season to invade the kingdom.

The chief had a daughter called Inquill (Inkill) Chumpi who the oracle Wankar Kuichi had prophesied that only a prince who could build a bridge over the river in one night would marry her.

The young man brought him many wonderful gifts, however, none were like the Qoriqenqe, a beautiful bird with golden plumage, with blue, yellow and red stripes, which revealed the future with its sweet song.