Santa Catalina Museum, Cusco

The Museum of the Santa Catalina Monastery in Cusco is an enriching historical and artistic site that blends the sacred and the cultural. Situated on the historic site of the Acllahuasi Inca or House of the Chosen, the convent itself was established in 1601 and has since served as a beacon of monastic life and art. The museum building is a notable example of colonial architecture from the late Renaissance, with Roman-style arches and spaces filled with large tapestries and vibrant colonial paintings, especially notable in the chapter house.

The museum proudly displays a significant collection of canvases from the renowned Cusco School, showcasing religious artworks such as the life of Saint Rose of Lima, the Virgin Mary with Saint Joseph, Saint John, The Assumption of the Virgin, and Saint Rafael the Archangel. Esteemed artists like Marcos Ribera, Francisco Padilla, and Diego Quispe Tito are well represented. Alongside these canvases, the museum also houses exquisite pieces of silverware, porcelain, and colonial-era furniture.

The museum not only features artwork but also serves as a living community for thirteen nuns from the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order), who continue to lead a life of contemplation and prayer, supporting the evangelizing missions of their order. Their living quarters and communal spaces, such as the Labor Room, the Chapter House, the Refectory, and the Novitiate, have been meticulously maintained or recreated to reflect the customs and environment of their cloistered existence, which spans several centuries. Visitors to the museum can explore these spaces alongside the specialized Pinacoteca that houses the Monastery's viceregal art collection, distributed across various exhibition areas.

The Museum of the Santa Catalina Monastery offers a profound glimpse into the spiritual and artistic legacy of colonial Peru, maintained through the dedicated efforts of its monastic community and the preservation of its rich artistic collections.