Arco de Tica Tica, Colonial arch in Cusco, Peru.
Arco de Tica Tica is a stone structure in Cusco built from andesite rock featuring two semicircular arches. One opening allows pedestrians to pass through, while the upper section carries water through channels that distribute it across the city.
Construction of the arch was completed on June 23, 1791, under José de la Portilla, Cusco's intendant at that time. The structure was built as the Spanish colonial administration worked to improve the city's infrastructure.
The site was originally called Uroscalla in Quechua, marking where travelers lost sight of the sacred city as they journeyed away. This name reflects how important the location was in how people understood their relationship to the city.
The structure serves as a pedestrian passageway while simultaneously functioning as an aqueduct that supplies water to different areas of the city. Visitors can observe how both functions work together when exploring the site.
The structure received two separate UNESCO recognitions: first in 1983 as part of Cusco's historic center and again in 2014 for its importance to ancient road networks. This dual recognition highlights how the arch connects different periods and aspects of the region's history.
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