Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Today's site is a downright postmodern combination of Inca and colonial religious architecture. Spanish walls cut
into the remains of trapezoidal pre-Columbian temples. An Inca fountain in the main cloister is surrounded by paint-
ings that depict the life of St Dominic.
Explanatory text is sparse. So it's best to hire one of the multilingual guides in grey jackets who stand by the main
door. During the high season, it gets ridiculously crowded in the afternoons. Go in the morning.
NEED TO KNOW
Plazoleta Santo Domingo; admission S10;
8:30am-5:30pm Mon-Sat, 2-5pm Sun
IGLESIA SAN FRANCISCO
| Church
(Plaza San Francisco; admission free; 6:30-8am & 5:30-8pm Mon-Sat, 6:30am-noon & 6:30-8pm Sun)
More austere than many Cuzco churches, Iglesia San Francisco dates back to the 16th
century and is one of the few that didn't need to be completely reconstructed after the
1650 earthquake. It has a large collection of colonial religious paintings and a well-carved
cedar choir. The attached
museum
(admission S8; 9am-noon & 3-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)
houses what is supposedly the largest painting in South America: a 9m by 12m canvas
that shows the family tree of St Francis of Assisi, the founder of the order. Also of
macabre interest are the two crypts, which contain plenty of carefully arranged human
bones.
Stargazing with the Ancients
The Incas were the only culture in the world to define constellations of darkness as well as light. Astronomy wasn't
taken lightly: some of Cuzco's main streets are designed to align with the stars at certain times of the year. To truly
understand this worldview we therefore recommend a visit to the
Cuzco Planetarium
(
www.planetariumcusco.com
; per person about S30)
, where you can learn about Inca constellation systems
and peek at the planets through a Celestron telescope. Think of how clever you'll feel pointing out the Black Llama
to your fellow hikers on the Inca trail.
Reservations are essential. Prices include pickup and drop-off.
IGLESIA Y MONASTERIO DE SANTA CATALINA
| Church
