The Cathedral of Cusco or Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption
is the main temple of the city of Cusco, Peru.
The Cathedral Basilica of Cusco, together with the Triunfo temple make up the
Cathedral Complex, it is located in the northeast sector of the current Plaza
de Armas of Cusco.
In the place that, during the Inca period, was occupied by both the Suntor
Wassi (lit. "Government House") and the Kisoarkancha or Palace of the eighth
Inca Wiracocha.
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Cuzco Cathedral seen from the south
The Incas built the temple known as Kiswarkancha on the main square in
Cusco. It was the Inca palace of Wiracocha, ruler of the Kingdom of
Cusco around a century before the Spanish colonists arrived.
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Near to the Kiswarkancha was the Suntur Wasi, an armoury and heraldry
centre for the Inca royalty.
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When the Spanish conquistadores arrived in Cuzco, they decided to take
down the temple and build their Christian cathedral in that prominent
site.
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Cuzco Cathedral seen from the east
The Gothic-Renaissance style of the cathedral reflects that of Spain
during the period of the Spanish conquest of South America and also
Cusco.
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Panorama of the facade of the Church of Triumph
The Church of Triumph (Iglesia del Triunfo) was built in 1538,
just three years after the conquistadores settled in Cusco.
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It was built over Suntur Wasi, which was an Inca ceremonial building
adjoining the palace of Wiracocha, in a similar way to the way that
the cathedral is now adjoined to the earlier Church of Triumph.
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The name of the Church of Triumph derives from the history of the
Spanish settlers in Cusco. At one point, presumably between 1533, and
1536, the Spanish were cornered by a besieging army of Incas, led by
Manko Inka. The final stand for the Spanish was in the Suntur Wasi,
before its demolition, and just as it seemed that they were on the
verge of defeat, the Spanish miraculously managed to drive back the
Incas. The Catholic conquistadores attributed this victory to Saint
James the Greater (the patron saint of Spain), who was reported at the
time to descend from heaven to drive back the Incas. This is why the
church is called the Church of Triumph, and also why there is a statue
of St. James atop a horse within the Church, depicting him slaying an
Inca.
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Facade of the Holy Family Church
The Temple of the Holy Family (Templo de la Sagrada Familia) also
called Templo de Jesús, María y José, is a Renaissance church
located in the city of Cusco. This building was designed by Francisco
Becerra.
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On September 13, 1723, the first stone was placed to begin the
construction of the Templo de la Sagrada Familia by order of Bishop
Gabriel de Arregui following the design of Francisco Becerra. After
the death of the architect in charge of the work, it was re-started in
1733 and was completed on September 3, 1735.
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See more at
Templo de la Sagrada Familia, Cusco - Wikipedia.
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See also
Source
Location
