Churches and Convents of Cusco

 Churches and Convents of Cusco

The Catholic Church accompanied, from the beginning of the conquest, the Spanish troops. In opening his evangelizing task, the most important and spectacular Inca palaces and temples, built their churches priestly orders then. On the other hand, had to be built to house the clergy convents. These buildings, 10 in particular, are worthy of appreciating construction details.

The Basilica Cathedral of Cusco

Cusco Cathedral

It is the most important, imposing and sumptuous monument of colonial architecture, being the repository of multiple art forms. Built in what was the "Sunturwasi" and "Kiswar Kancha" of the Incas, was built with stones of moles of the walls of Sacsayhuaman. This first enclosure to give religious, was built in what is now the Church of Triumph at the side of the Cathedral.

Church of the Jesuits

cusco jesus company

It is one of the most outstanding monuments of Andean Baroque and is built on the Amaru Kancha, the palace of Inca Huayna Capac panaca. Its location and its opulence, which overshadowed the primacy of the Cathedral, led to serious disputes between the Jesuits and the cusqueño clergy. The first foundation of the church took place on July 17, 1571, by the Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, a provincial initiative Jerome Ruiz de Portillo.

Iglesia de la Merced

the mercy cusco

The church and convent of La Merced, whose original construction dates back to the mid-sixteenth century, is one of the oldest in the city of Cusco and was built in the old "Cusipata" in the center of Cusco. The former convent had four cloisters, currently have two monastic cloisters and one of them has become the current school of Mercy.

Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

san francisco church cusco

The structure of the convent and the church of San Francisco will stand alongside the national college of science, and was in the service of his order in 1652. Here is possibly the larger canvas of the continent. It was founded by the Franciscans in 1645 and has two facades and a single tower. This church is ancient stonework Spanish style. The work was completed in 1650.

Church and Convent of Santo Domingo

Convent of Santo Domingo Cusco

Built on one of the holiest places in pre-Columbian times, it was called at the time of the Incas "Inti Cancha", was the main temple of the Quechua in the Valley of Cusco, was, initially dedicated to the deities linked to agricultural rites. Inside you can see the remains of Qoricancha.

Church and Convent of Santa Catalina

cusco convent of Santa Catalina

This church stands on what was once the home of the Chosen or Virgins of the Sun, also called Acllawasi. In Inca times occupied the entire block bounded by the Plaza de Armas, Calle Loreto, Loreto Street K'aspi k'ijllu today and Calle Maruri.

Church of San Blas

church of san blas Cusco

Built on the Inca neighborhood "Tococachi" exactly on the spot where was worshiped "Illapa" (Rayo in Quechua). This church is known for its pulpit which many specialists is the most striking example of woodcarving existing Spanish churrigueresque.

Bethlehem Church

cusco church belen

Built on one of the Inca neighborhoods called Ch'akillchaKa, to the west of the city of Cusco. This church like many suffered a serious deterioration in the earthquake of 1650 and subsequently rebuilt. Bethlehem is the oldest monastery in the city, dedicated to the gathering of mestizo, was founded on April 30, 1550.

Church of San Pedro

church of san pedro cusco

In the beginning was a hospital to care for Indians or natural. It was built 1556 and is located six blocks west of the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. This church like all others, has important paintings, the pulpit was carved by Juan Tomas Tuyru Tupac.

Church of San Cristobal

san cristobal church cusco

Built on what was once the palace of Manco Capac. Its construction began 1673 and was a parish intended to Indians or natural. It is a temple of a single tower, whose architecture is almost equal to that of the Church of Santa Clara, the church tower is stone but the church itself is of adobe.