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Temple · Cusco, Cusco
Qorikancha
The Inca Temple of the Sun, once covered in gold during the empire, with fitted stone walls beneath the Dominican convent of Santo Domingo. It has terraced gardens and a site museum.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Qorikancha
The Qorikancha, the ‘gold enclosure’ in Quechua, was the most important temple of the Inca Empire, dedicated to Inti, the Sun god. Chroniclers report that the walls were covered with gold plates and that the garden contained plants and animals made of gold and silver. After the conquest the metals were taken, and the Dominicans built the church and convent of Santo Domingo on top of the temple.
The visit shows the two cities layered one on top of the other. Inside the colonial cloister are the Inca chambers dedicated to the Sun, the Moon, the stars, thunder and the rainbow, with andesite walls so precisely fitted that a blade cannot pass between the stones. The earthquakes of 1650 and 1950 brought down parts of the convent, but the Inca walls remained standing, which unveiled what had been hidden.
Outside, the large curved stone wall facing Avenida El Sol is one of the best-known images of Cusco. Below it, the terraces of the old garden descend to the avenue and are now a lawn. The site museum, with entrance from the avenue, displays pieces found in the excavations.
The convent contains colonial paintings and offers a view over the city roofs from the high corridors. The church remains active. Qorikancha has its own ticket; the site museum is included in the tourist pass. Check opening hours before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour for the temple and convent; an additional 30 minutes for the site museum.
Best time
In the morning, when light fills the cloisters and there is less activity. On June 24 the Inti Raymi begins with a ceremony in front of the temple. Check times before you go.
How to get there
It is on Avenida El Sol, about 600 meters from the Plaza de Armas, a 10-minute downhill walk along Loreto Street, between Inca walls.
Tip
Go with a guide, or hire one at the entrance, to understand what is Inca and what is colonial. Walk down to Avenida El Sol to see the curved wall from below.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Qorikancha
Does Qorikancha still have gold?
No. The gold that once lined the walls was taken by the Spaniards in the 16th century. What remain are the stone walls and the Inca chambers beneath the convent.
Is Qorikancha included in the tourist ticket?
The temple and the convent have their own tickets. The site museum, on avenida El Sol, is included in the tourist ticket. Confirm before going.
Why did the Inca walls withstand the earthquakes?
The stones are fitted without mortar, with slightly inclined walls and trapezoidal doorways, which helps the structure absorb the tremors. In the earthquakes of 1650 and 1950 parts of the convent fell while the Inca walls remained standing.