Qorikancha
- Address:Plaza Santo Domingo, Cusco
- Hours:Mon - Sat 8:30am - 5:30pm, Sun 2pm - 5pm
- Admission:Adults: 6 Nuevos Soles
12:18 AM Saturday, May 26
Clear. Cool.
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The Inca site of Qorikancha forms the foundations of the colonial church of Santo Domingo, creating an unusual combination of monolithic Inca and arched colonial architecture.
Qorikancha means ‘Golden Courtyard’, and in Inca times the temple walls were clad with 700 sheets of solid gold, proving a tempting lure for the conquistadors. The gold sheets and gold and silver statues are gone, melted down and recast by the Spanish, but the impressively hewn curved wall of basalt stonework remains.
The temple complex is thought to have been built by the first Inca emperor, Manco Capac, 100 years before the coming of the Spaniards. It was built as an observatory and religious temple to the sun, housing the mummified bodies of the Inca rulers.
When you enter the courtyard, imagine the octagonal front clad with solid gold, flanked by temples to the moon and the stars draped in solid silver.
Latest Reviews All Qorikancha Reviews »
My guide, Alan, was great! I ended up being the only person on the tour so I had my own personal guide. We had a great time in the market and the ruins. He was very friendly and knew a great deal about the surroundings.
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Even though I was the only participant they still provided an excellent experience.
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Qorikancha is a couple of blocks southwest of Cusco’s city center, best reached by strolling down pedestrianized Loreto and Pampa del Castillo.
