Churches in Cusco
Cusco is the oldest continuously populated city in South America; With the arrival of the Spaniards, began the task of evangelization and the extirpation of idolatries; Then many churches were built from the priestly orders of that time, on the most important Inca temples and palaces. Many of these religious constructions are considered works of art; This means that you walk through the historic center of Cusco, or like touring a huge museum. When planning your trip to Machu Picchu, you can include the religious circuit and visit the amazing collection of churches in Cusco. Here are some of the most important churches in Cusco.
- The Cathedral of Cusco
- The Company of Jesus
- The Convent of Mercy
- The Church of San Blas
- Convent of Santo Domingo
- The Monastery of Santa Catalina
- The Church of San Pedro
- The Church of San Sebastián
- Church of San Pedro de Apóstol in Andahuaylillas
- Why I can not take out Photos in the churches of Cusco?
- Photo gallery
The Cathedral of Cusco
It is the most impressive monument of colonial architecture, was built by the Spanish architect Juan Veramendi in 1560 on the Suntur Wasi, former palace of the Inca Wiracocha. This wonderful example of Baroque colonial architecture was built with stones from the walls of Sacsayhuaman. The Cathedral is located on the northeast side of the Main Square of the Cusco. The monument is a mixture of several colonial architectural tendencies; The main altar is covered with pure silver leaves, the choir is carved in front of the altar and is a masterpiece of wood carving. It houses a beautiful collection of over 400 canvases and a custody of 120 cm in height and 27.7 kg in weight, made of solid gold and encrusted with 331 pearls, 263 diamonds, 221 emeralds, 89 amethysts, 43 topazes, 5 sapphires and 1 agate. TOP ▲
The Cathedral of Cusco in the Main Square
The Company of Jesus
The Company of Jesus is located in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. It is one of the churches of the Cuzco baroque; With this style the architecture of the time reached its highest peak. It is made of andesite stone and has a very beautiful facade. Upon Entry you will see a virgin (immaculate conception) carved in marble; In the interior it emphasizes the major altar made of cedar and covered with leaves of gold; Was built almost entirely of stone and stands out for its paintings and carvings. TOP ▲
The Company of Jesus
The Convent of La Merced
The Convent of La Merced is located one block from Plaza Regocijo in the historic center of Cusco. In 1650 an earthquake caused serious damages in the Church of the Merced, was so much the destruction that it took almost 20 years in rebuilding the temple. This building has a unique beauty, its almost rustic walls contrast very well with its beautiful columns and baroque bell tower. You will find Plateresque choir chairs, beautiful carvings of wood and many paintings of the Cusqueña School. Experts agree that the Temple of Merced is one of the most beautiful in all of Latin America. TOP ▲
The church of the Merced
The Church of San Blas
The church of San Blas is one of the oldest in Cusco; Was built around 1,544 on an ancient Inca sanctuary dedicated to the cult of the god “Illapa”, deity of lightning, thunder and lightning. Although its structure is simple, it presents / displays an incredible pulpit of cedar that apparently was done by indigenous of the time. The Altar of the church is impressive, it is carved in cedar and adorned with gold leaves, has a mixed style of baroque. TOP ▲
The church of San Blas
Convent of Santo Domingo
The church of Santo Domingo is located only 2 blocks from the Main Square of the Cusco; It is built on the bases of the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). Here you can see finely polished Inca precincts; The carved tower of Baroque style that supports the bell tower, is one of the most outstanding characteristics of the Temple. Inside you can also see an amazing collection of paintings from the Cusqueña School. TOP ▲
Convent of Santo Domingo
The Monastery of Santa Catalina
The Monastery of Santa Catalina stands out among the other temples of Cusco for its simplicity, beauty and splendid quality of its Inca walls. Its architecture presents arches in the Roman style, corresponding to the last stages of the Renaissance; Is built on the Acallawasi (House of the chosen ones or virgins of the sun). The Acllawasi was a kind of convent; Where only noble women lived who were chosen among the most beautiful of the empire. Construction took 4 years. Its façade is beautiful and in its interior you will find many impressive works of the Cusqueña School. TOP ▲
The Monastery of Santa Catalina
The Church of San Pedro
The Church of San Pedro is located a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco and, like the other Churches of the city, houses beautiful paintings of the Cusqueña School; The pulpit was carved by the famous Cuzco artist Juan Tomas Tuyru Túpac. The 2 bell towers give the façade a Renaissance court. TOP ▲
San Peter’s Church
The church of San Sebastián
It is located in the main square of the district of San Sebastián to 6 kilometers of the Cusco. The church of San Sebastián was built in a place surrounded by small archaeological sites that must have been very important in the time of the Incas, The temple, the facade and the main altar are of baroque style; Has a very unique architecture full of ornaments. The temple was built by Melchor Mayta in 1.673 and in its interior you can find works of the famous Cusco painter Diego Quispe Tito. TOP ▲
The church of San Sebastián
Church of San Pedro de Apóstol in Andahuaylillas
The town of Andahuaylillas is located 40 km from the city of Cusco and is famous for its Temple “San Pedro Apóstol”. Built in 1,580, it is known as the Sistine Chapel of Peru ; Its exterior simplicity contrasts enormously with its majestic interior of baroque – colonial style. It has golden altars, pictures of the Cusqueña School, and a famous mural of the roads to heaven and hell. Many people come to this beautiful church to get married. If you want to visit this church, you must make the South valley circuit TOP ▲
Church of San Pedro de Apóstol – Andahuaylillas
Why can not I take photos in the churches of Cusco?
A written rule (on signs) says that it is forbidden to take photos within most of the Churches of Cusco; At least you can not do this in those that are within the religious circuit of Cusco.; This is understandable in flash photography, as it is true that flashes have an effect on paintings and exhibits; As it turns out that flash tube lights are used to accelerate the deterioration process of different products; Light from the flashes causes certain pigments to break and lose their contrast and color rapidly. Now, imagine the millions of people who visit the Cathedral of Cusco every year But why ban on taking photos, even without flash? This prohibition comes from antiquated (and ridiculous) customs on the spread of the heritage of the Catholic Church. We believe that nobody should care that, without disturbing and without flashes, take a photo of the interior of the fabulous Church of San Blas. There are places where this prohibition no longer exists, but in most churches it still applies. And although no one can give you a good argument of the why?; Remember that you can not take photos in any of the Churches of Cusco; If they find it doing this, security personnel will kindly ask you not to use your cell phone or any device with which you can take a picture of the religious heritage of Cusco. TOP ▲
Important: In many churches and temples you will not be allowed to take photographs.
Gallery - Churches in Cusco
Advice from people who have been there
By: Kate T“An Impressive Cathedral“
“I loved the details of its wood, and all the silver work, I had never seen such a beautiful cathedral, the only bad thing is that you can not take photos inside.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024