Boutique Hotel, Andean Wings is situated on the corner of calle Siete Cuartones, formerly known as calle “De la Jeringa” (literally, “Street of the Syringe”), and calle Santa Teresa, also known as calle “Del Teatro o de la Comedia” (that is, in spanish, Street of the Theatre or Comedies”, naming the street where the first theatre in Cuzco ran its shows). On this corner was located one of the most important and imposing manorial mansions of the early colonial Cuzco of the 16th century, property of don Pedro López de Cazalla, who was also owner of the adjoining house, known as Casa de los Seis Pumas (“House of the Six Pumas”). Furthermore, he was a leading character in the colonial aristocracy, as well as the Lord Mayor and chief Escribano (notary) of the recently founded spanish city of Cuzco.
Early in the 17th century, in 1604, don Fernando de Salas y Valdez, an important dignitary and magnate within the ruling Cuzco aristocracy of the time, became the owner of the solarium. He was, by right of primogeniture, head of the House of Salas y Valdez and amassed many riches and extensive landholdings during his lifetime. Following his death, this and other properties were assumed by don Diego de Vargas Carvajal who functioned as the tutor, who administrated the assets and the real estate. In the 18th century, the same Salas y Valdez family became –by right of succession- known as the Counts of Peralta. This established an important dignitary and magnate within the ruling Cuzco aristocracy of the time their roots in the manorial house located on the corner of Calle Santa Teresa and Calle Siete Cuartones. The present-day hotel was an integral part of that building complex.
The Counts of Peralta constituted one of the wealthiest families with the most distinguished lineage in colonial Cuzco. In the year 1767, the owner and oldest-born heir to the family succession was General Jose Valdez y Peralta. In the waning years of the colonial era, the heiress, doña María Ignacia de Peralta y Valdez, along with her husband, don Felipe de Lizarazu, known as Conde de la Casa de la Moneda (lit. “Count of the House of Currency”, that is, of the fabrication of coinage), remained as one of the most distinguished hostesses in Cuzco. In their accounts, 19th century travelers often mention the gatherings and soirées they had been invited to in the home of the Counts of Peralta while visiting Cusco.
Well in the 20th century, the venue bearing the number 225 of calle Siete Cuartones –which is Andean Wings Boutique Hotel in the present day–, had borne a severe seismic impact in the 1950 earthquake, but remained occupied by its rightful owners, who, on the thin strip of land that stood at the back of the building, implemented a “conventillo” or communal residence where they settled with their possessions. Years later, in 1993, the old rambling manor at Calle Siete Cuartones became the property of the religious assistance organization Los Siervos de los Pobres del Tercer Mundo, which took care and charge of the restoration and remodeling of the House for its use.
Cusco Hotel Boutique Andean Wings Blog 