Church of the Company of Jesus, Cusco

The Church of the Company of Jesus was built on the site of an Inca palace. The Jesuits began construction of the church in 1576. Designed in the Spanish Baroque style, its impressive architecture later influenced many other buildings.

The church was damaged during the earthquake of 1650 and rebuilt in 1668. It features ornate exterior and interior decoration, including a portal and exquisite altarpieces. The leaders of nearby Cusco Cathedral became concerned that the church's elaborate design might overshadow the cathedral and wanted its construction toned down so that the cathedral could remain Cusco's most magnificent religious landmark. The pope was asked to intervene. However, his decision in support of the cathedral reportedly did not reach Cusco until the Church of the Company of Jesus had already been completed.

The Church of the Company of Jesus also contains several interesting works of art. On the northern wall of the church Visitors can see a painting depicting the marriage of Martín García de Loyola, a nephew of Ignatius of Loyola, to Beatriz Clara Coya, a grand-niece of the Inca ruler Túpac Amaru. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, while Túpac Amaru was the last ruler of the Neo-Inca State.