The Kings Yncas had, in their vain religion, great things worthy of much attention, and one of these was the perpetual virginity which women observed in many conventual houses, that were built for them in the different provinces of the empire. In order that it may be understood what women these were, to whom they were dedicated, and in what employments they were occupied, I shall relate how all this was; for the Spanish historians who treat of this matter pass it by like the proverb which says—“the cat out of the arms.” I shall treat specially of the house at Cuzco, because all the others which were established throughout Peru were on the same model.

The quarter of the city of Cuzco called Aclla-huasi, which signifies the house of the chosen ones, is between the two streets issuing from the great square and leading to the convent of Santo Domingo, which used to be the temple of the Sun. One of these streets is that which issues from the corner of the square on the left hand side of the cathedral, running north and south. When I left that city in the year 1560, this street was the principal mart for shopkeepers. The other street is that which issues from the centre of the square, near the prison, and goes straight to the convent of Santo Domingo, also running north and south.