Beside Cusco Cathedral on Plaza de Armas, the Church of the Society of Jesus is a Jesuit church built over the palace of Inca ruler Huayna Cápac. Its carved Baroque façade, gold-leaf main altar and ribbed vaulted ceiling make the interior worth a closer look. You can follow a self-guided visit using the captions, and access to the bell towers gives views across the square. Look for surviving Inca stonework among the foundations, a reminder of the site’s earlier history.
A Jesuit church on an Inca palace site
The Church of the Society of Jesus, also called Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, stands beside Cusco Cathedral on Plaza de Armas. The Jesuits began building it in 1571 on the site of Amarucancha, the palace of Inca ruler Huayna Cápac. Inca stonework remains among the foundations.
The church was damaged in the 1650 earthquake and rebuilt afterward. Reconstruction continued until 1688. Its Baroque design and elaborate façade reflect the church’s colonial-era construction, while the earlier walls beneath it mark the site’s Inca past.
Inside the church
The interior’s main focus is its gold-leaf altar, described as Peru’s largest. Look up to see the ribbed vaulted ceiling, and take time with the church’s paintings, including a work depicting the marriage of Martín García de Loyola and Beatriz Clara Coya.
A self-guided visit uses captions to explain what you are seeing. Photography is not permitted throughout the interior, though designated areas, including upper balcony spots, allow it. The church also has a small crypt.
The façade and bell towers
From Plaza de Armas, the church’s detailed Baroque façade is easy to compare with the nearby cathedral. The two buildings stand close together, and the church’s scale and ornamentation have long drawn attention alongside its neighbour.
Visitors can access the bell towers for views across the square, including toward the cathedral. The church is part of the Andean Baroque route, which links it with other Baroque churches in the region.
FAQ
Where is the Church of the Society of Jesus in Cusco?
It is on Plaza de Armas, beside Cusco Cathedral.
Can you go up the bell towers?
Yes. Visitors can access the towers for views over Plaza de Armas.
Can you take photos inside the church?
Photography is restricted inside, but permitted areas include upper balcony spots.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, an entrance fee is charged. The available information does not specify the amount.
