Hotels near Cusco Cathedral

Construction of the Cusco Cathedral began in 1559 using stone blocks pulled from the Sacsayhuaman fortress, and it took nearly a century to complete. The building sits on the foundations of Kiswarkancha, the palace of Inca Viracocha. Inside, the nave holds over 400 paintings from the Cusco School of art, including a famous Last Supper by Marcos Zapata that depicts Christ and the apostles eating cuy (guinea pig) - a pointed example of how colonial artists blended European religious themes with Andean identity. The cedar choir stalls, carved in the 17th century, are considered among the finest in the Americas.

Admission costs 25 PEN (6 EUR) for adults, or you can enter with the Boleto Religioso that also covers other churches. Photography inside is not permitted. The Cathedral is part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage designation, which covers the entire Cusco historic centre. Opening hours are typically Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00, Sunday 14:00-18:00 (the building is used for Mass in the morning).

Pro Tip: Attend the 06:00 or 07:00 morning Mass (free entry, no ticket required) to see the Cathedral in active use and experience the interior without crowds. The services are held in Spanish and Quechua.