Cusco is over 11,000 feet above the sea level. This city is considered the archeological capital of the Americas due to its colonial and ancient Incan architecture.
This city is in the heart of the Andes; so, stunning landscapes can be seen in this place. You can enjoy beautiful Andean peaks, orchid-rich cloud forests and Amazon lowlands.
Since Cusco is the center of the Inca Empire, It remains a mecca for adventure-minded travelers touring South America.
Discover Cusco on foot, rafting, or getting the local buses to know this culturally rich place.
We will show you some of the most important temples that you must visit in Cuzco.
Cusco Plaza de Armas
It can go there during daytime or at night. Its name was "Huacaypata" during Inca times. It was a ceremonial site, where Incas celebrated the Festival of the Sun each year.
Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cusco in this place.
Later, during colonial times the square was transformed. Colonizers built stone arches and erected buildings that still surround it.
Cusco Cathedral
It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. The construction of this church was in two phases: first, The Chapel was built on the place where had been the temple of Suntur Wasi, and later the cathedral was erected on the place of the Inca Wiracocha.
It has a Renaissance style, which features spectacular carvings in cedar and alder. The pulpit and the choir are indescribable for its beauty. It houses amazing paintings and silver-embossed objects.
Temple of La Compañía de Jesús
The original temple was built in 1571, but it was rebuilt in 1688 after the earthquake. It is in the lands of the ancient Amarucancha. This temple has a baroque style, its facade is decorated with towers, and its stone walls were sculpted. The high altar consists of three parts and Solomonic columns, the pulpit is made of wood, and the altarpieces are in the Baroque, plateresque and churrigueresque style.
Temple of San Blas
This temple was built during the colonial times. It has a Baroque pulpit, which is a masterpiece of carpentry and wood carving. This work is attributed to the artist Diego Quispe Tito.
It is located in the small square of the town of San Blas.
Temple and Convent of La Merced
This place has a Baroque style and it was built between 1657 and 1680. This place houses a precious treasure, which is a gold-and gemstone-encrusted custodia. It is 1.3 meters tall and weighs 22 kilos. It was recognized as the second–largest in the world.
The history of Cusco lives in its streets, squares, and buildings. This city has stunning destinations, which are examples of fine engineering and architecture.