Garcilazo de la Vega was a famous scholar from the sixteenth century. But he was also born of an Incan princess and a Spanish conquistador. This made his life very difficult. But he was incredibly driven to overcome the social stigma of being borne of both the old world and the "new" world.

As a result, he mastered three languages and traveled from South America to Europe to study and write several books. Unfortunately, for financial reasons, he became stranded in Europe and never managed to return to his homeland before his death in 1616. But during his lifetime he was his time period's answer to Martin Luther King Jr., speaking out (albeit in very subtle ways) against Spanish tyranny in Peru.

Garcilazo De La Vega - The Inca
Despite his mixed heritage, he always tried to bring the two sides of his heritage together. When he would speak out against the Spaniards in Peru, he would do so respectfully, in hopes that both sides would follow his example. But despite this balanced approach he is viewed in Peru as a true Inca - in fact, they call him Garcilazo de la Vega, The Inca.

You can visit de la Vega's birth place while visiting Cuzco City. He was born in Casa Solariega, a mansion in Cuzco that still stands to this day. So, if you decide on a visit to Cuzco (how could you not, with so many Peru tourist attractions nearby?) make sure to stop by Casa Solariega and see where one of Peru's most famous men was born!

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