Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

The most imposing baroque facade on the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, built by the Jesuits between 1571 and 1668 on the site of the Inca palace of Huayna Capac. The facade is a masterpiece of carved stone — figures of saints, angels, and decorative foliage in the ornate Churrigueresque style, entirely covering the surface from door to belfry. Inside, the gold-covered altarpiece and painted walls show the high mestizo baroque style that developed in Cusco, blending European religious iconography with Andean symbols.

The church occupies one corner of the Plaza de Armas opposite the cathedral, and the juxtaposition of the two is striking — both built on Inca foundations, both competing for visual dominance of the city's central square. Entry with the Boleto Religioso; free for mass.

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A story
The Jesuits built their church on the foundations of Huayna Capac's palace — one of the most sacred Inca sites in Cusco. The Pope ordered them to demolish it and restore the ruins, but they appealed, delayed, and eventually the order was rescinded. The church was completed in 1668 and is considered the finest example of Spanish Baroque architecture in Peru. The cathedral chapter reportedly never forgave them.

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