The Spanish invasion of Peru was a hallmark event in history. Until the 16th century, this country had developed according to its laws and rules: it had had its gods, and people had farmed under the leadership of their Emperor, regarded as a saint.

In 1532, the Spanish came to the city where Emperor Atahualpa ruled. They were welcomed, and nobody of the Incas was even thinking about war. But 180 Europeans, armed with muskets, were. They scared the Incas with their horses because the animals were a curiosity in that country. The Spanish attacked and robbed them. In a short time, they killed more than 5 000 Incas who neither had modern arms nor armory. At the end of their expansionist campaign, they took Emperor Atahualpa, who open-heartedly let them in the city, as a prisoner.

Atahualpa was locked in one of the small fortress buildings that still exists and is called the Ransom Room (El Cuarto del Rescate).

As a ransom for the Emperor's life, the Europeans requested the Incas to fill the house, where he was imprisoned, with gold and silver, up to the height of the raised arm. Locals spent several months collecting the necessary treasures, but the Spanish didn't keep their promise. They called Atahualpa an idolater and sentenced him to be burned alive. It was the most fearful punishment for the Incas, as they needed to keep the bodies of the dead: according to their ancient traditions, it would help to complete the transfer from the world of the living to the world of the dead. Then the Spanish offered Atahualpa to change the execution type to garotte if he agreed to be baptized. The Emperor had to give his consent. He was executed on the main square in front of hundreds of locals.

And those riches that the Spanish gained as the ransom, are still considered to be the most immense spoils of war of all times.