Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Don't Miss
Qorikancha
If you visit only one site in Cuzco, make it this former
Inca temple
, which now forms the base of the colonial
church and priory of Santo Domingo. Once the richest temple in the empire, Qorikancha (Quechua for 'Golden
Courtyard') was once literally covered in gold. Walls were lined with solid-gold sheets and the building housed life-
sized gold and silver replicas of llamas and corn, as well as a massive gold sculpture of the sun. Moreover, it has
been reported that the mummified bodies of deceased
incas
(kings) were kept here, brought out into the sunlight
each day and offered food and drink.
Unfortunately, the only thing that remains is the stonework. Within months of the Spanish arrival, the precious
metals were all looted. What remains, however, is some of the finest Inca architecture in Peru - including a curved,
perfectly fitted 6m-high retaining wall (known as the Solar Drum Wall) that encircles the site.
The temple was built in the mid-15th century during the reign of the 10th
inca
, Túpac Yupanqui. After the con-
quest, Francisco Pizarro gave it to his brother Juan, who was unable to enjoy it for long - he died in battle in 1536,
leaving it to the Dominicans in his will.
