Travel Information to Cusco

Travel Information to Cusco

Qorikancha: The Temple of the Sun

The famous Temple of the Sun in Cusco, also known as Qorikancha, was the most important religious and cultural center of the Inca Empire. By 1438, it had reached its peak, becoming the “Navel of the World” in Andean cosmology. This sacred place represented a perfect synthesis of Inca organization, architecture, and religion.

According to tradition, the first temple was built by Manko Qhapaq, the founding Inca. Later, Emperor Pachacutec expanded and modernized the complex, transforming it into the most magnificent religious sanctuary of the Inca civilization. While its original name is debated—some chronicles call it Intiwasi or Intikancha—the most recognized name today is Qorikancha, meaning “Golden Palace.”

Architecture and Construction

The temple was built with andesite stones from Waqoto and Rumiqolqa. Its walls, slightly inclined inward and featuring trapezoidal niches, were designed to resist earthquakes. Bronze clamps joined the blocks, making Qorikancha one of the most earthquake-resistant structures in history, surviving even the destructive earthquakes of 1650 and 1950.

The roofing was made of wood and ichu (highland grass), with eaves protecting the walls from the rain. During ceremonies, the temple was adorned with golden decorations and colorful feather carpets, dazzling in the sunlight.

Temples Within Qorikancha

• Temple of the Sun: The main shrine, covered entirely in gold, with a massive golden disk representing the Sun God. Chronicler Garcilaso de la Vega described it as so large it spanned the entire façade.
• Temple of the Moon: Dedicated to Mama Killa, the Moon goddess and wife of the Sun. It was covered in silver and housed embalmed bodies of Inca queens.
• Sacred Fountains: Five ceremonial fountains symbolized water as a deity. One of these, beneath the Round Temple, still carries water through finely carved channels.

After the Spanish conquest, the temple was given to the Dominican Order, who built the Santo Domingo Church over it. Earthquakes later exposed the original Inca walls, which still inspire awe today.

Church of San Blas

The San Blas neighborhood is one of Cusco’s most iconic districts, known as the “District of Artists” for its artisan workshops and narrow cobblestone streets. In Inca times, the area was called T’oqokachi (“Salt Hole”) and was home to noble families.

The Church of San Blas was likely built around 1544, replacing an Inca shrine dedicated to Illapa, the god of thunder and rain. Its structure, originally made of adobe, was rebuilt with stone after the earthquakes of 1650 and 1950.

The San Blas Pulpit

Inside the church lies its greatest treasure: the San Blas Pulpit, carved from a single block of cedar wood. Considered one of the finest works of colonial art in the Americas, it showcases baroque influences blended with Andean artistry.

The true identity of the sculptor remains a mystery. Some attribute it to the Quechua artist Juan Tomás Tuyro Túpac, while others suggest Martín de Torres or Diego Martínez de Oviedo. Local legend, however, claims it was carved by a woodcarver miraculously healed by the Virgin Mary, whose skull allegedly rests beneath the pulpit.

The pulpit’s carvings depict saints, apostles, and biblical scenes with astonishing detail, making it a masterpiece of Peruvian religious art and a must-see for any visitor to Cusco.

Conclusion

Visiting Qorikancha and the Church of San Blas offers a deep insight into the fusion of Inca spirituality and colonial history. Both sites represent Cusco’s unique legacy and are essential stops for travelers seeking to understand the cultural richness of the city.