Archbishop Palace and Twelve-Angle Stone, Cusco

The Archbishop's Palace is one of Cusco's clearest examples of how Inca and Spanish colonial architecture were layered together over time. Its lower walls preserve finely fitted Inca masonry, while the upper sections reflect the colonial period that followed the Spanish conquest.

The Twelve-Angled Stone is incorporated into one of these Inca walls. It is renowned for its precise finish and stands as a testament to the advanced stone working skills of the Incas. Although other Inca stones have even more angles, this is the best-known example with twelve.

The palace was once associated with Inca Roca, the sixth ruler of the Inca Empire. After the Spanish conquest, the site was transformed into a colonial residence. Its later architectural features include a Renaissance-style courtyard with arches, decorative tiles, and other elements reflecting the colonial period.

Today, the palace houses the Religious Art Museum. Visitors can explore a collection of colonial religious paintings, along with several Andean works by artists such as Juan Zapata. The building itself is also worth seeing for its carved cedar ceilings, Moorish-style doors, and beautiful stained-glass windows.