The Cusco region is not only Machu Picchu! Cusco city, located in a beautiful, relaxing valley, also offers great attractions that every visitor can really be pleased to enjoy. On this article, we will talk about the Koricancha, the main temple of the Inca empire, full of history and beauty.
The Koricancha Inca Temple Today
First, inside this complex which is now integrated to Cusco city urban design, you will find the Temple of the Sun, the most important throughout the empire; the whole complex displays the Inca imperial architecture, really fine stone masonry, which can be compared to the more rudimentary shown on Cusco city’s earlier constructions. The Koricancha complex surprised the Spanish invaders for the huge amounts of gold Inca priests used to worship their deities.
If the Koricancha complex was seen from a drone, visitors could spot its design, which is of a Sun whose 41 rays were found to point to many sacred sites around the empire; actually, the great Inca Pachacutec redesigned Cusco city, giving it the shape of a puma, where the Koricancha complex is at the beginning of its tail and the Sacsayhuaman sanctuary is at the head. Its walls and doors were covered in gold and some say even studded with diamonds.
Travel suggestion: What about visiting this destination with all the family?
Inside The Inca Temple of the Sun
Be this close of the main Inca Temple of the Sun
It was the most important building of the complex, located at its northern corner; its walls -both interior and exterior- were covered with gold plates, each one weighing 2 kg, that were plundered by Spanish conquerors.
Inside the Temple, there was a gold statue of the Sun God or Inti, with rays of light shining from its body and also united with jaguars and snakes; the statue, resembling the actual Sun behavior, was taken out of the Temple at daytime and returned there at nights.
The Temple of the Sun had a famous garden, entirely devoted to Inti, the Sun God; there they had the most important elements of the Inca empire represented in gold and silver: corn, llamas, jaguars, birds and so on. Also there were many gold and silver jars, encrusted with precious stones; nowadays, archaeologists have only a few golden corn figurines, left for all that wonderful religious wealth.
Travel tip: Do not miss Koricancha Complex and read our tips to budget a trip to Cuzco!
Worship of Other Deities in Koricancha Temple
At the Koricancha complex, there were five temples dedicated to the rest of main Inca deities:
- Wiracocha or the Creator God
- Quilla, Goddess of the Moon
- Chaska, the Inca Venus
- Illapa, God of Thunder
- Cuichu, the Rainbow God
Each one of the temples contained a huge amount of ceremonial objects made of gold, silver and precious stones, and an equally splendorous statue of its particular god.
There was also a section where the priests had the mummified remains of former Incas (kings) and their wives, that were brought out to the public view on special occasions, when their feats were recalled and told to the population.
The priests and priestesses had their quarters areas, and finally the complex had several storage rooms for all the objects needed for liturgy and decoration.
Discover the history of the Koricancha Temple in a Cusco City tour. Get top customer service and the best prices in the market with TOUR IN PERU! Our tours are professionally guided, and the Koricancha visit usually takes 1 hour, when you will still appreciate the wonder of the most important religious complex of the Inca empire. Finally, there is more information regarding this package in our best months for the Cusco City tour article.
Cusco city also has many great attractions to make your vacation even better! Contact our staff for booking!
