About our rating systemBuilt on the site of the palace of the Inca Viracocha, Cusco's cathedral, which dominates the Plaza de Armas, is a beautiful religious and artistic monument. Completed in 1669 in the Renaissance style and now handsomely restored, the cathedral possesses some 400 canvasses of the distinguished Escuela Cusqueña that were painted from the 16th to 18th centuries. There are also amazing woodcarvings, including the spectacular cedar choir stalls. The main altar—which weighs more than 401kg (884 lb.) and is fashioned from silver mined in Potosí, Bolivia—features the patron saint of Cusco. To the right of the altar is a particularly Peruvian painting of the Last Supper, with the apostles drinking chicha (fermented maize beer) and eating cuy (guinea pig). The Capilla del Triunfo (the first Christian church in Cusco) is next door, to the right of the main church. It holds a painting by Alonso Cortés de Monroy of the devastating earthquake of 1650. To the right of the entrance to the Capilla (the right nave, next to the choir stalls) is an altar adorned by the locally famous “El Negrito” (see box below).
Cusco› Attraction
La Catedral
Plaza de Armas (north side), Peru
Our Rating
Hours
Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 2–6pm
Phone
No phone
Prices
Admission not included in boleto turístico; S/25 adults, S/12.50 students
Hours
Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 2–6pm
Phone
No phone
Prices
Admission not included in boleto turístico; S/25 adults, S/12.50 students
Map
Plaza de Armas CuscoNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
