The Cristo Blanco is the most famous monument in the city of Cusco. It is a statue of Jesus Christ that reaches 8 meters in height and raises its arms as a sign of protection at the top of the city. It is located next to the Sacsayhuaman fortress. The entrance to this monument is free. Most people prefer to go there with the famous ‘mirabus’ route.

• The Cristo Blanco
• Location
• How to get?
• Map to get to Cristo Blanco
• Cost
• Sacsayhuaman and other nearby tourist attractions
• Photos
• More information

Cristo Blanco – Cusco

The three most famous statues in the city of Cusco are: the monument to Pachacutec (in the oval of the same name), the Inca in the main square and the Cristo Blanco. Of all of them, the most famous is the latter. For the people of Cusco it symbolizes the peace and blessing of the Christian God towards the citizens. The visit to this site is completely free. It can be reached on foot, by taxi or by public transport bus.

The Cristo Blanco

• The Cristo Blanco is a sculpture of Jesus Christ located on the Pukamoqo hill (red hill), a place considered sacred by the Incas.
• The sculpture was a gift from the Arab-Palestinian colony in 1945. The work was created by the Cusco sculptor Francisco Olazo. The materials used were granite, cedar, clay as well as iron and wire.
• The sculpture is white and measures up to 8 meters. Their open arms represent the Catholic protection over the city of Cusco.
• The laying of the first stone was carried out during the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival) festival in 1944. Later, in 1973 and 1974, the statue was enmeshed.
• It is currently one of the most visited modern monuments in Cusco. The main reason is that from there you have a privileged view of the entire city.

Location

• The Cristo Blanco monument is located just 2 kilometers on foot from the city of Cusco, a few steps from the entrance door to the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman.
• Geographically it is located 3,575 meters above sea level.

How to get?

From the center of Cusco you can reach the Cristo Blanco on foot, by taxi or by public transport bus:

• On foot – From the main square you must ascend in a straight line towards the San Blas neighborhood. Then you must take the streets ‘Siete angelitos’ or ‘Atoqsayk’uchi’ until you reach the main track (Ring Road). Finally, you must walk along the track until you reach the Cristo Blanco. The journey takes 40 minutes on average.
• By taxi – From anywhere in the center of Cusco you can take a taxi that will take you to Cristo Blanco following the Circunvalación highway or Dos Bosco avenue. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes. The price of the service is negotiated with the same taxi driver but it can cost approximately 2 or 3 dollars.
• By public transport bus – At the stop of the ‘Rosaspata market’ the buses of the companies ‘Señor del Huerto’ or ‘Cristo Blanco’ arrive, which They will take you to the monument in about 30 minutes. The buses follow the Circunvalación highway. The price of the service is 1 Peruvian sol (0.3 dollars).

Map to get to Cristo Blanco

Route map Cusco – Cristo Blanco

Cost

• Entrance to the Cristo Blanco is totally free.
• Many tourists prefer to visit this place through the famous tour in ‘mirabus’ (bus with an open roof that runs through the main streets of the city). The cost of this service is 20 Peruvian soles per person on average (about $ 6).

Sacsayhuaman and other nearby tourist attractions

Near Sacsayhuaman the tourist can visit the following tourist attractions:

• Sacsayhuaman – An amazing Inca fortress with constructions made of stones weighing more than 120 tons. How they did it? Even today it is difficult to build similar constructions. Sacsayhuaman was a site of religious importance. It is located at the top of Cusco, next to the Cristo Blanco.
• Qenqo – An Inca temple famous for its labyrinthine constructions under the ground. It is worth highlighting a ceremonial table where embalming was probably carried out. Qenqo has an amphitheater where ceremonies were held. It is located just 1.6 kilometers from the Cristo Blanco.
• Pucapucara – A small Inca fortress where military ceremonies were held. It has rustic constructions of up to three levels. Its name means ‘Red Fortress’ because its walls turn that color at sunset. It is located just 5.5 kilometers from the Cristo Blanco.
• Tambomachay – A temple where water was worshiped. It consists of walls and channels made of stone and finely carved. It is believed that the Inca preceded religious ceremonies there while his troops rested in Pucapucara, located just a few steps away. Tambomachay is located 5.8 kilometers from Cristo Blanco.

Cristo Blanco - Cusco

More information

• Entrance to the Cristo Blanco is free. The entrance to Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay are included in the ‘Cusco Tourist Ticket’ which costs 70 Peruvian soles (about 22 dollars, approximately).
• Chronicles say that the Pukamoqo hill, the site of the Cristo Blanco, was a sacred site. It is said that the Incas transported land there from the four ‘suyos’ (regions of the empire). This, and the excellent location with panoramic views of the city, influenced the decision to place the statue there.
• The Cristo Blanco is open to the public every day of the year and at all times. It is recommended to visit it at sunset, when the lights weakly illuminate the city of Cusco. At that moment you can take incredible photos of the city.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024