The city of Cusco was the capital of the Inca civilization and became the most important city in the Andes and South America. But, did you know? When the Spaniards came to invade and spread their faith, they built churches on Inca fortresses. This helped them convert the local people to Christianity and promote the Catholic religion in Cusco.
Join with Machu Travel Peru to explore these religious precincts, which are a perfect plan if you are planning to visit Cusco.
Learn about the history of the old Churches in Cusco
- Behind the Historical Churches
- The Cathedral of Cusco
- The Church of the Holy Family
- The Church of Triumph
- The Church of the Company of Jesus
- The Church of Santa Catalina
- The Church of San Blas
- The Church of Santo Domingo
- The Church of San Pedro
- The Church of San Cristobal
- The Church of Santa Teresa
- The Church of La Merced
- The Church of San Francisco
- The Church of Belen
- The Church of Santa Ana
- The Church of Santa Clara
Behind the Historical Churches
Many churches in Cusco, link them to their history and identity, when the Spaniards arrived in Cusco, they found the Inca civilization. The Inca had a polytheistic religion. This means they worshiped many gods, these gods were connected to nature and weather. Therefore, they decided to establish Christianity as a religion and to profess Catholicism.
The Spaniards built Christian temples on the base of Inca temples, which helped to blend elements of both cultures. This started a process called “religious syncretism”. As many researchers have noted, this happens when practices from different religions are mixed, creating a new form of religion. This cultural clash and adaptation occurred especially in the highlands and the coast of Peru.
Years later, it became part of the identity of people who visit different temples and churches. They do this to connect with their Inca and Spanish past. A well-known example is the Corphus Cristi Cusqueño and the Cruz Velacuy. This event honors the Catholic Church while also celebrating Andean heritage. Emile Durkheim, a famous sociologist said, “Religion is important in society because it brings people together”. We can see this in every temple and convent in Cusco.
The Cathedral of Cusco
It is very unusual to find two churches on the main square in any city in Peru, but Cusco features two of the most spectacular churches that you will see in all of South America. The first and the grandest is the Cusco Cathedral. You will visit the Cathedral on any Cusco city tour of this ancient city.
The interior of the churches features many wonderful paintings from the Cusco School. The famous painting shows Jesus at the Last Supper. It was created by a local person who worked at the Spanish run school. On closer inspection of the painting, you will notice that what Jesus and his twelve disciples are eating is roasted guinea pig.
The Church of the Holy Family
The church of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, which we also call the “Temple of the Holy Family”, is an important church located in the main square of Cusco, next to the Cathedral. Its construction began in 1723 and 1735 at the time of Bishop Gabriel de Arregui.
Due to the earthquake of 1950 and its considerable destruction, it was rebuilt, trying to maintain the baroque architecture with Andean influence. Its construction is based on andesite volcanic rock and polished stone. This temple is characterized by having a rectangular platform with walls in its interior and vaults. In the interior, you can appreciate paintings of the Cusquenian school, the major tie, and objects of value. It is important to mention that its style is modernist Catalan.
The Church of Triumph
The temple of Triunfo or Iglesia del Triunfo is part of the Cusquenian Cathedrals, being located on the left-hand side of the Cathedral of Cusco. The name commemorates the triumph of the invaders over the Inca armies. It was built in 1538, being the first church in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco was intended for the Catholic cult. At first, it worshiped the Holy Christ of the Good Death in a small image that existed and is dated before 1560, where the image of the Lord of the Tremors is venerated, after the earthquake of 1650.
The architecture that characterizes the temple of Triunfo is encompassed in a building in the form of an open chapel based on volcanic andesite rock, accompanied by a dome and ancient vaults. Inside, you can see decorative elements such as paintings, wooden altarpieces, and valuable objects.
The Church of the Company of Jesus
The church has a beautiful gold altar. It also has impressive paintings of past saints and important Spanish leaders. Most days, the church holds services, and you can enter and stay for the service. Remember to be respectful of the people attending the service.
The other church in the main square of Cusco is a Jesuit church. It was built around the same time as the Cathedral. This church is also worth a visit, with a lovely interior and many wonderful artworks.
The Church of Santa Catalina
The church and convent of Santa Catalina is a catholic enclosure that is in charge of the Dominican nuns. It is located in the historic center of Cusco, a few steps from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. During the time of the Incas, the now church of Santa Catalina was an “Acllahuasi”, which means the place or house of the chosen ones; that is to say, it was where the women who were virgins of the Sun were found.
Its character and concept were of sacredness since these women were the most beautiful girls who were chosen for the Inca aristocracy, who were later destined to the sun god or god Inti, for the Incas.
After the Spanish invasion, with the purpose of evangelization, many Inca sites were destroyed, and others were built, such as the church of Santa Catalina. Its architecture was made of stone or adobe. Its structure consists of a main nave and an elevated vault with arches adorned with murals. Currently, this place is a museum that offers a monastic experience of how was the life of the Dominican nuns, also you can see paintings and objects of the famous Cusco school of Art.
The Church of San Blas
Cusco features many other Spanish churches, all worth a visit. In the San Blas part of Cusco, take the time to visit the small church located on the plaza. The church has one of the grandest altars in all of Cusco. Hand-carved from wood, the craftsmanship is truly incredible.
To the south of Cusco, you will find the town of Andahuaylillas, where on the plaza is a wonderful little church that is worth the trip. The paintings alone are excellent, and be sure to take special note of the ceiling.
The Church of Santo Domingo
The Qorikancha was the largest temple of the Inca state, which was ruled by Inca Pachakuteq. However, after the Spanish invasion, was built on the foundations of the Qoricancha, the famous convent of Santo Domingo, which was the first Dominican convent of Peru in 1534.
This religious precinct has a baroque style and in its interior we can see a patio decorated in colonial style and we can also see canvases of the Cusquenian school. It is important to mention that, like other churches in Cusco, the earthquake of 1650 also affected the Convent of Santo Domingo, which caused it to be rebuilt into what we know today, a convent with three naves, a cupola, ornaments in gold and silver, and work of arts.
The Church of San Pedro
The San Pedro Church is located on Cascaparo Street in Cusco, across from the San Pedro Market, the most important market in the city.
This church was built on what was the Hospital de los Naturales del Cusco, founded in 1556. As expected, it was thought that all hospitals should have their chapel, so the famous San Pedro Church was built in 1572. The architect in charge of the construction was Juan Tomas Tuyro Tupac. Its architecture is made from stone and has a baroque main altar with silver gratings. It has a baroque style, and the facade is a part of the cultural traditions in Cusco, so it is a must-see when you arrive in this place.
The Church of San Cristobal
The Church of San Cristobal is a church located on the west side of the Plaza de Colcampata on the Sacsayhuaman hill, and the Plaza de Armas is a must-see.
The architecture of this church is based on adobe and stone. It has a structure in the shape of a Latin cross, with three naves inside, including a larger central one and two smaller lateral ones. The style we find is eclectic, as it shares the appearance of the neoclassical with arches. It is part of the central zone declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Last but not least, its patron saint is San Cristobal, as his name suggests. His feast day is celebrated on Corpus Christi in Cusco and on August 2nd with dances in worship of the Catholic faith.
The Church of Santa Teresa
The church of Santa Teresa is located two blocks from the Plaza de Armas at the intersection of Siete Cuartones and Saphy streets in the historic center. It is also owned and operated by the Order of the Discalced Carmelites.
It is one of the oldest churches in the city and is part of the historical monuments. It was built in 1673 for the nuns and their cloister. Its architecture is in stone and has a semicircular arch, with columns and a shield of the Carmelite order. Its style is baroque, characterized by its exuberance and emotion, which is what it seeks to convey to the faithful about religion.
The Church of La Merced
The Church of La Merced, also known as the Basilica of La Merced, is a Catholic church located in Cusco, 100 meters southwest of the Plaza de Armas in front of Plazoleta Espinar. It belongs to the Mercedarian Order and has annexes to both the Convent and the Colegio de La Merced.
It was founded by Father Sebastian de Trujillo between 1535 to 1536. Its architecture is based on stone, brick, and wood. Its structure consists of a basilica with three naves and its famous decorated columns, with domes and bell towers.
The Church of San Francisco
The church of San Francisco was built in 1572 by Viceroy Francisco Toledo and was reconstructed after the earthquake of 1650. This church pays homage to the Roman Catholic cult.
In its architecture, we can find a Latin cross, three naves, and a tall square tower; the materials used were stone, lime, and volcanic rock called andesite. This church has five bells and in the interior has works in plaster, also can be found different canvases on the Franciscan family and the pictorial works of Diego Quispe Tito, which are worthy of admiration for the Catholic church in Cusco.
The Church of Belen
The church of Belen in Cusco is an important religious and cultural site in the city of Cusco. It is located in the iconic square of Santiago, which is also part of the monumental historic center of the Inca city.
It was founded in 1559 under the command of the corregidor Juan Polo de Ondegardo. The name of the church comes from the image of the Virgin of Belen. This church is a clear example of Colonial Baroque art and also has inside altarpieces, canvases, sculptures, and other religious objects that have been exposed to constant restoration processes. The patroness of the church is the Virgin of Belen, as described above, and is known as “Mamacha Belen”, also participates in Corpus Christi and its central day is January 20. It is also important to mention that the festivals in Cusco are partly a product of religious syncretism, where the Catholic faith is combined with the tradition of the Andes.
The Church of Santa Ana
The church of Santa Ana is located in the Plazoleta de Santa Ana, which is a monumental area and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. This church is part of the religious heritage of the city of Cusco.
This church was built in 1559 by the Corregidor Juan Polo de Ondegard and has a Renaissance architecture for evangelizing purposes of the Indians, which was implemented during the mid-sixteenth century. It is characterized by a simple design, but typical of buildings that exist in Cusco, was built in adobe and has walls with a tile roof. The patron saint of this church is Santa Ana, considered the patron saint of the “Chicherias and Picanterias” of Cusco.
The Church of Santa Clara
The church of Santa Clara is a baroque religious precinct located on Santa Ana Street, 500 meters from the Plaza de Armas, a few steps from the famous San Pedro Market.
It was built in 1602 and is currently in charge of the Clarist nuns. The architecture of this temple is of Renaissance style and is surrounded by carved stones in the shape of pillows. It also has a bell tower and has Andean baroque designs. Finally, it can also be observed that it is of a single nave and has vaults where you can appreciate the antiquity of the construction.
“TRAVEL OPENS YOUR HEART, BROADENS YOUR MIND, AND FILLS YOUR LIFE WITH STORIES TO TELL”
The churches fulfilled a religious and political function; they were built to evangelize the indigenous population and also as a symbol of a new state in Cusco. That is why, if you want to know more about the things to do in Cusco and about the religious syncretism of this place, you should book a trip soon!
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