The Cathedral of Puno is one of the main attractions in the city’s historic center and an essential stop for those who wish to discover its religious architecture.
Table of Contents
The Cathedral of Puno was completed in 1757. It belongs to the Catholic Church in Peru and was elevated to the rank of Minor Basilica by a papal bull issued by Pope Paul VI on October 13, 1965.
Construction began in 1669 on an ancient ceremonial site known as Supay Kancha, translated into Spanish as the Circle of the Devil or Enclosure of the Devil. There is some controversy regarding the exact start date of construction, and some sources indicate that the building process lasted more than 50 years.
The Cathedral of Puno is an example of colonial architecture and features both European and Andean representations.
This cathedral is built with carved stone, in an Andean Baroque style, and decorated with human figures, local flowers, and mermaids playing the charango.
This fusion of mestizo Baroque style brought together European and Andean cultural elements as part of the Catholic evangelization process.
Inside, important figures and members of the Catholic Church, such as bishops, are buried. The main altar is made of marmolina with a silver frontal. The cathedral also houses two miraculous devotional figures: the Lord of the Bullet and the Virgin of Remedies, as well as 18th-century paintings from the Cusco School of Painting.
The Cathedral of Puno, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Charles Borromeo, is located in front of Puno’s Plaza de Armas, at Jirón Ayacucho 416, in the Puno region of Peru. It is one of the main architectural examples from the colonial period.
You only need to walk a few steps from the city’s historic center. If you are farther from downtown, you can take a taxi directly to the cathedral. You can also visit it as part of a tour of Puno, which may include other places in the city. CuscoPeru.com can help you organize this tour in a safe and accessible way.
Interior of the Cathedral: inside, you can appreciate several works from the Cusco School, as well as two important and representative devotional images for the faithful: the Lord of the Bullet and the Virgin of Remedies.
Baroque style: its design blends European and Andean styles. Visitors can see carved images of pumas, birds, flowers, and mermaids playing a musical instrument, revealing the presence of Andean artists who participated in its creation.
Sculpture and pictorial art: among its artworks, you can appreciate representative paintings from the Cusco School. European models were adapted to the Andean context and represented in the Cathedral of Puno.
Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and in the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and in the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and in the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Entrance to the Cathedral of Puno is free, so you may visit as often as you wish and learn more about the paintings it preserves.
Who designed the Cathedral of Puno?
The cathedral was built under the direction of priest Silvestre de Valdez y de la Cueva, with the participation of Indigenous and mestizo master builders, as well as missionaries.
What is the difference between a basilica and a cathedral?
A cathedral is the main church of a diocese because it houses the bishop’s chair, or cathedra; it has an administrative and pastoral role. A basilica, on the other hand, is an honorary title granted by the Pope to a church because of its historical, liturgical, or devotional importance, creating a special bond with the Holy See.
Can photos be taken inside the cathedral?
In general, photography and filming are allowed as tourist activities, but visitors must follow respectful guidelines, which may vary during Masses, ceremonies, or according to staff instructions.
Happy passengers