Once dazzling with gold-coated walls and solid gold statues, Qorikancha now seems like a shell of its former self. Despite this, the temple--dedicated to the Inca sun god Inti--retains an air of mystique, as its blend of Inca and Spanish architecture symbolizes a clash of two empires. Legend has it the temple was stripped of most of its gold when the Spanish ransomed an Inca leader Atahualpa, forcing their enemies to surrender much of their wealth. You can admire the hardy architecture of the Inca temple, and imagine the ornate decorations that once graced it. Work out when and for how long to visit Qorikancha and other Cusco attractions using our handy Cusco trip planning tool.
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Qorikancha reviews
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First off, this is an incredible church facility. The artwork is beautiful, the construction and rockwork is very well done. My only sadness is that the Christians destroyed a remarkable culture and..... more
First off, this is an incredible church facility. The artwork is beautiful, the construction and rockwork is very well done. My only sadness is that the Christians destroyed a remarkable culture and..... more »
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I think this is the most interesting building in Cusco because of its more-complex history in a city with a complex history. A tour guide is definitely recommended.
I think this is the most interesting building in Cusco because of its more-complex history in a city with a complex history. A tour guide is definitely recommended. more »
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A really beautiful and enjoyable location. This Incan ruin-turned Catholic church is a really cool mix of history, artwork, and fascinating architecture. There is an English translation of almost everything. This was one of a few places in Peru we didn't get a guide at because we didn't have much time. I think the guides we had everywhere else were very informative, and I think if we go again again we'll hire one.
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Intriguing place, nice to just wander around and think. There are guides at the front but we went alone and still enjoyed it. Beautiful gardens bellow the temple. There are a few info boards in English.
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