Churches of Cusco: La Compañía, San Blas, La Merced, San Francisco and more

Cusco has one of the greatest concentrations of colonial religious art in the Americas. After the conquest, the Spanish built churches and convents on Inca palaces and temples, and Indigenous and mestizo artists filled their interiors with Cusco School paintings, gilded altarpieces and wood carvings. Visiting the churches means understanding the blend of cultures that defines the city. This guide covers the highlights and how to plan your visit.

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The Cathedral

Cusco Cathedral, on the Plaza de Armas, is the city's great church. Inside are hundreds of Cusco School canvases, including a famous Last Supper with a guinea pig on the table, silver altars, carved choir stalls and the Lord of the Earthquakes, the city's patron. Beside it stand El Triunfo and Sagrada Familia churches.

• Cusco Cathedral: what to see inside, the Last Supper with guinea pig, tickets and hours

La Compañía de Jesús

Facing the Cathedral, La Compañía is a jewel of Andean baroque. The Jesuits built it on the palace of the Inca Huayna Cápac, and its floodlit façade at night is one of Cusco's loveliest sights. Inside, the gilded main altarpiece and paintings stand out, including one depicting the marriage of a Spanish captain to an Inca princess. Sometimes you can climb to the bell towers or choir for a view over the plaza.

• Plaza de Armas in Cusco: history, what to see around it and practical tips

San Blas

The small church of San Blas, in the artisans' quarter, is one of the oldest in the city. Its treasure is the carved cedar pulpit, considered one of the masterpieces of colonial woodcarving in the Americas, rich in figures and detail. Combine it with a stroll around the neighbourhood.

• San Blas, Cusco's artisan quarter: what to see, viewpoints and tips

La Merced

A few steps from the Plaza de Armas, the basilica and convent of La Merced has a beautiful cloister and a museum of religious art. Its best-known piece is a gold monstrance decorated with pearls and precious stones, one of the most valuable goldsmith works in the country.

San Francisco

On the square of the same name, San Francisco convent holds a large collection of colonial painting, including a huge canvas showing the Franciscan order's genealogy, and crypts with bones that impress visitors. It's less visited than other churches and keeps a calm atmosphere.

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina convent, built on the former Acllahuasi, the Inca house of the chosen women, is still home to cloistered nuns. Part of it is a museum with religious art and a glimpse of convent life.

Santo Domingo and Qorikancha

Santo Domingo convent was built on Qorikancha, the most important Inca temple, dedicated to the Sun. The visit shows perfectly fitted Inca walls inside the colonial cloister: the clearest example of layered cultures in Cusco.

• Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun: tickets, hours, what to see and history

Other churches

• San Cristóbal: up high, next to one of the city's best viewpoints.
• San Pedro: opposite the market of the same name, partly built with Inca stones.
• Santa Clara and Belén: lesser-known baroque interiors.
• Outside the city, Andahuaylillas church in the South Valley, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas".

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• Cusco's South Valley: Tipón, Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas and local flavours

Planning your visit

• Religious circuit: the Archdiocese runs a ticket grouping several churches and museums, such as the Cathedral, San Blas, San Cristóbal and the Religious Art Museum. Check what's included and the current price.
• Other churches, such as La Compañía, La Merced, San Francisco or Santa Catalina, have their own entry.
• Churches aren't included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
• Visiting hours vary and pause during Mass; during services, entry is usually free for worship only.
• Most churches don't allow photos inside.
• Dress respectfully, cover shoulders and speak quietly.

• Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): what's included and is it worth it
• The best museums in Cusco: which to visit, tickets and how to plan

The Cusco School in brief

The Cusco School was a 17th–18th century painting movement in which Indigenous and mestizo artists reinterpreted European models. Its works are recognisable by lavish gold brocade on robes, intense colours and the inclusion of Andean flora, fauna and customs. Looking for these details makes the visit much richer.

Half-day route

1. Cathedral and La Compañía on the Plaza de Armas.
2. La Merced, a few steps away.
3. Walk up to San Blas via Hatun Rumiyoc street.

Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).