The capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco, located in present-day Peru. This city was the political, military, and cultural heart of the empire. Cusco was intricately planned and featured impressive stone structures, palaces, and temples, reflecting the Inca's architectural prowess. The city served as a hub for the extensive network of roads that connected various regions of the empire. It was also the center of the Inca religion and governance, embodying the empire's power and sophistication until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century significantly altered its trajectory and legacy.