Qorikancha, Where Inca and Spanish Architectures Merge
Santo Domingo s n, Cuzco
4.2
Introduction
When Spanish colonizers first arrived in Cusco in 1533 and saw the Sun Temple, they were amazed by its impressive architecture. The exterior walls were once covered in gold which shone brilliantly in the sunlight. The building had been constructed during the reign of the great Inca emperor Pachacuti, as a way to show reverence for the sun god. However, the gold on the walls had already been stripped off. When the Spanish invaded Cusco, they kidnapped the local leader Atahualpa, and the residents used the gold from the walls as ransom to get him back. Today, the Sun Temple is one of the most important and majestic Inca ruins in Cusco city, and the annual Sun Festival starts from here. What is most impressive about the temple is its unique style, combining western architecture with Inca ruins. The Spanish colonizers built the Church of Santo Domingo on the site of the old temple, and although the two buildings are vastly different in style, they both leave a lasting impression. Opening hours Monday to Friday, 8:30-17:30
Saturday and Sunday, 14:00-17:00.
A church built on Inca architectural ruins
