Ransom Room (Cuarto del Rescate)

This small room is believed to be the place where the Inca Empire’s demise began with the capture of the Emperor Atahualpa. Held for ransom by Spanish conquistadors, Atahualpa hoped to obtain his liberty by promising to fill one room with gold, and two others with silver and precious stones high enough to reach his upstretched arm, hence the name “Ransom Room.” The treasure was delivered, but Francisco Pizarro executed the hostage anyway with a garrot around his throat.