San Blas Church, Cusco
The San Blas Church was built on an Incan temple dedicated to the god of thunder and lightning. The church was originally built in the mid-1500s and rebuilt after the 1650 earthquake.
The San Blas Church has a simple adobe facade, but the interior is stunning and features many famous artworks. The artworks and famous altar were added after the 1650 earthquake.
The ornate Baroque altar was carved from a single piece of cedar. The gold-leaf altar is thought to be one of the most elaborate carvings in the Americas. A popular legend tells that the altar was carved by an indigenous person who recovered from a deadly illness and dedicated his life to serving the church. The legend also says that the carver's skull was embedded in the altar after his death.
The church hosts several beautiful paintings. For example, Peruvian painter Diego Quispe Tito's painting depicts the resurrection of Lazarus. Tito is considered the leader of the Cuzco School of painting. In addition, the church has various sculptures.
The San Blas Church has a simple adobe facade, but the interior is stunning and features many famous artworks. The artworks and famous altar were added after the 1650 earthquake.
The ornate Baroque altar was carved from a single piece of cedar. The gold-leaf altar is thought to be one of the most elaborate carvings in the Americas. A popular legend tells that the altar was carved by an indigenous person who recovered from a deadly illness and dedicated his life to serving the church. The legend also says that the carver's skull was embedded in the altar after his death.
The church hosts several beautiful paintings. For example, Peruvian painter Diego Quispe Tito's painting depicts the resurrection of Lazarus. Tito is considered the leader of the Cuzco School of painting. In addition, the church has various sculptures.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cusco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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San Blas Church on Map
Sight Name: San Blas Church
Sight Location: Cusco, Peru (See walking tours in Cusco)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cusco, Peru (See walking tours in Cusco)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cusco, Peru
Create Your Own Walk in Cusco
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cusco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cusco's Historical Churches
Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, is one of the oldest cities in the world. In the 16th century, Spanish missionaries introduced the area to Catholicism. The result of that has been a plethora of historical churches built in the city since.
Among the marvels of local ecclesiastical architecture, the Cusco Cathedral reigns supreme. Constructed on the foundations of an Inca temple,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among the marvels of local ecclesiastical architecture, the Cusco Cathedral reigns supreme. Constructed on the foundations of an Inca temple,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Cusco Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled high in the Andes mountains, Cusco is a city bursting with stories to tell. Peru's historic capital city was also the Inca Empire's center until the Spanish conquistadors arrived.
Before the Inca settled in the area, the Killke people were here from the years 900 to 1200. Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside of town, was built as a fortress by the Killke.
The Inca later... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Before the Inca settled in the area, the Killke people were here from the years 900 to 1200. Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside of town, was built as a fortress by the Killke.
The Inca later... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles