The Cathedral of Cusco or Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption is the main temple of the city of Cusco.
This first precinct, to officiate religious acts, was built in what is currently the Church of Triunfo next to the Cathedral Basilica. The Spanish conquerors asked for the creation of the Bishopric of Cusco in charge of Fray Vicente Valverde. For 15 years the final location of the Cathedral Basilica was not determined, because the Cabildo agreed to buy land adjacent to it, being Canon Don Juan Ruiz the one who acquires the “Kiswarkancha” at the price of 2,800 pesos.
In 1617, the architect Fray Miguel Huertas intervened, modifying arches and vaults. In 1649, Francisco Domínguez Chávez y Arellano, Master Architect, intervenes and finishes the construction, he is also the one who builds the façade or master wall. On August 14, Dr. Pedro de Arteaga y Sotomayor blessed the new Cathedral, opening on August 15 with a celebration that lasted until September, and on August 19, 1668, it was consecrated by Dr. Bernardo Izaguirre.
The Cathedral of Cusco combines characteristics of Gothic, Mannerist Renaissance and Baroque. Flanked by two solid towers, its lateral portals are mannerist, and the central one, discreetly baroque.
It has splendid altars of Renaissance, Baroque and neoclassical style. Its carved wooden pulpit and the choir stalls are magnificent works of Cusquenian craftsmanship. It also highlights its collection of canvases of the Cuzco school with works by Diego Quispe Tito, Basilio Santa Cruz Pumacallo, Basilio Pacheco and Marcos Zapata, creator of a unique "last supper" in which the main dish is roasted guinea pig. The Sacristy is decorated with several paintings of the Bishops, who have ruled the Archbishopric of Cusco. The choir of the cathedral is built of cedar wood, Baroque with Neoclassical style. The main altar of the Cathedral, decorated with the most important colonial gold and silver work in America, has been used more than 1250 kilos of silver. Paintings; there are around 300 paintings, which were the inspiration of different indigenous, mestizo and European artists. The Silver Room; the piece of Baldaquin made in 1733, bequeathed by Francisco Guyzueta Maldonado, stands out.
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Sunday: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Cost: Admission with the Religious Circuit Ticket, or only to this monument with the following amounts.
Adults: S/. 40.00 - Students: S/. 20.00
