Temple of the Sun Qoricancha

From the Quechua “enclosure of gold,” Qoricancha was the main religious center of the Tawantinsuyo in the city of Cusco. In the past, it had a much larger perimeter filled with golden idols dedicated to the creator god, and its exterior was covered in gold and silver before being looted in 1533 to pay the ransom of Inca Atahualpa.

Historical chronicles described this temple with admiration because of the wealth it contained, until the arrival of the Dominican Order, who, being the first to arrive in Cusco, took possession of Qoricancha and rebuilt it as the Convent of Santo Domingo by 1550 using Inca foundations and a more vivid and ornate Baroque style than others, as seen in its beautiful bell tower. Today, it functions as a convent, site museum, and stage for Inti Raymi dances in June.