Museo Machu Picchu Casa Concha in Cusco traces the citadel’s discovery and the lives of the people who lived there. Its collection includes more than 360 archaeological objects recovered during Hiram Bingham’s expeditions and returned to Peru by Yale University in 2011. Ceramics, stone and metal pieces, bones, photographs and films give context for a visit to Machu Picchu. The museum is set in a colonial mansion built over an Inca palace. Upstairs, a small gallery displays work by local artists.
A collection returned to Peru
The museum brings together archaeological objects recovered from Machu Picchu during Hiram Bingham’s expeditions. The pieces spent close to a century at Yale University before beginning their return to Peru in 2011. More than 360 are displayed here, including ceramics, stone and metal objects, and human remains.
The collection gives physical detail to the history of the citadel. Its objects came from a place often encountered through its buildings and mountain setting; here, they also speak to the work and daily life of the people who lived there. The exhibits include material found during excavations at Machu Picchu and objects uncovered during work on Casa Concha itself.
The story of Machu Picchu’s discovery
Films and displays introduce the expeditions that brought Machu Picchu to wider attention and explain what researchers found. The films are available in Spanish and English, and the museum also uses photographs, videos and models to provide context for the citadel and its structures.
The exhibits cover more than the discovery. They address everyday life at Machu Picchu, the objects found there and later research. This makes the museum a useful stop before a visit to the archaeological site: it helps connect what you see in Cusco with the people, objects and investigations associated with the citadel.
Casa Concha above an Inca palace
The museum occupies Casa Concha, a colonial mansion built over the palace of the Inca ruler Túpac Yupanqui. The house was remodeled in the 18th century. Its stone arches are among the building’s architectural details, while original features and decorative elements remain part of the setting.
The house also has its own archaeological history. Objects found during excavation and restoration work inside Casa Concha are displayed alongside material from Machu Picchu. These finds include ceramics, metal fragments and bones, adding another layer to a visit that moves between the Inca site and the later building above it.
Exhibits and the upstairs gallery
Rooms focus on different parts of Inca history and Machu Picchu, so you can move through the displays at your own pace. Alongside the archaeological pieces, photographs and films help explain the excavations and the citadel. Signs are available in English and Spanish.
On the second floor, a small gallery displays work by local artists. It offers a change of focus from the archaeological rooms and adds a contemporary element to the visit. Plan around an hour to see the exhibits and gallery. Admission is paid, and cash is needed; bathroom facilities are limited, so bringing toilet paper is a practical precaution.
FAQ
How long should I spend at Museo Machu Picchu Casa Concha?
Allow about an hour to explore the exhibition rooms and the second-floor art gallery.
What can you see at Museo Machu Picchu Casa Concha?
The collection includes more than 360 archaeological objects from Machu Picchu, such as ceramics, stone and metal pieces, and bones. Films, photographs and displays explain the citadel and its discovery.
Are the museum displays available in English?
Yes. Films are available in English and Spanish, and exhibit signs are also in both languages.
Can I pay for admission by card?
Bring cash. Admission is reported as cash only.
