What to see in Cusco, attractions and places to visit in the archaeological site of Peru, considered among the largest in South America.
Tourist information
Built by wealthy Inca kings and sacked by Spanish conquistadors, Cusco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area.
Visitors are drawn to the spectacular colonial architecture of Cusco, with remains of Inca palaces made up of perfectly squared stones and cobbled sunburned squares.
The whitewashed alleys and the terracotta roofs are the testimony of a rich history, furthermore, in this fascinating mountain scenery, there are fascinating museums, colorful markets and lively night clubs.
But the main attraction of Cusco is to represent the last outpost along the legendary path of the Incan tribe towards Machu Picchu, today a very important archaeological site, among the most beautiful in the world.
The growing tourism development has not affected the beauty and atmosphere with an ancient flavor in Cusco in the least.
What see
Chocolate Museum
For a break from the usual historical attractions of Cusco, this museum offers the opportunity to learn more about the history of the cocoa tree and its origins.
It is possible to see the art of processing chocolate in all its phases, from the cocoa plantation to the finished product.
Coming from the tropical forests of Central America, cocoa was cultivated in the past by the populations of the Mayas and Aztecs who recognized its properties as a nutritious and fortifying food, which was usually consumed as a bitter-flavored drink, prepared using roasted cocoa beans and ground on heated rocks.
Coricancha
Recommended readings- Lima (Peru): what to see
- Cusco (Peru): what to see in the archaeological site
- Peru: useful information
- Machu Picchu (Peru): what to see in the lost city of the Incas
- Apurimac: Peru's river that feeds the Amazon River
This building, which was the centerpiece of the Inca religion, was richly decorated with gold plates and precious stones.
After the looting of the Spanish conquistadors, the temple was ceded to the Dominicans who built the Santo Domingo Monastery above it, which was subsequently destroyed following the catastrophic earthquake of 1950.
Interesting remains have remained, including the Inca stone and splendid masonry works.
Church of San Blas
It is a church with simple shapes and interesting works inside, including a carved cedar wood pulpit, where a cherub, the sun disk, some faces and bunches of grapes are represented. To admire the baroque altar covered with gold leaf.
Cathedral
Built between 1556 and 1669 on the site of the Inca Viracocha Palace, the monolithic cathedral dominates one side of the Plaza de Armas.
Full of priceless treasures, it includes finely carved altars, a sacristy with portraits of priests who have alternated in the various eras, a blackened crucifix that legend has it was used to stop an earthquake of enormous proportions, a famous painting by Marcos Zapata depicting the Last Supper, in which Christ and his disciples feast using fruits from the Andes instead of the traditional Easter lamb.
The Company
This large Jesuit church, which is also located in the Plaza de Armas, was built on the ruins of the Inca Huayna Capac palace.
With a Baroque facade, this building contains interesting paintings, depicting local weddings that show the customs of that era.
We also recommend visiting the catacombs under the church and climbing to the second floor, via a staircase located in the choir, from which you can admire a beautiful external view.
Pre-Columbian art museum
This museum is dedicated to the artistic achievements of the various ancient Peruvian cultures with finds from the Moche, Chimú, Paracas, Nazca and Inca.
Dating back to the period from 1250 to 1532, these archaeological treasures include sculptures, pottery and handmade objects in gold and silver.
Inka museum
This grandiose colonial house stands on an Inca foundation. Inside there is an imposing staircase guarded by sculptures of mythical creatures and a courtyard.
The museum houses the most beautiful collection of Inca artifacts found in Cusco.
Metal and gold objects, jewelery, ceramics, fabrics and paintings are exhibited. There is also the reconstruction of a burial chamber containing some mummies.
Sacsayhuaman
This vast Inca archaeological site is located a few steps from the Plaza de Armas.
It consists of huge zigzag walls built using gigantic stones and a large statue of Jesus Christ, resembling that of the Christ the Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro, visible almost from every point of the city.
