Before arriving at Machu Picchu or after visiting it, there is a museum in downtown Cusco that completes the experience in a way no other place in the region can. Casa Concha houses the collection of archaeological pieces repatriated from Yale University the objects that Hiram Bingham removed from the site during his expeditions in 1912 and 1915 and that remained in the United States for nearly a century. Seeing those pieces in Cusco, inside a 15th-century Inca palace less than two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, is an experience that completes the historical circle of Machu Picchu in a way the archaeological site alone cannot.
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The Building: An Inca Palace in the Heart of Cusco
Casa Concha is not a museum built to be a museum. It is a 15th-century Inca palace that was used by the Spanish during the colonial period and later passed through different owners before becoming a university building. The National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco (UNSAAC) restored it and turned it into the space that now houses the Machu Picchu collection.
The building itself is part of the experience. It features massive Inca stone walls several meters high, interior courtyards with proportions typical of Cusco’s urban design, and architecture that combines pre-Hispanic foundations with colonial additions. Walking through its courtyards before entering the exhibition halls sets the right mood for what visitors will see inside.
The History of the Artifacts: From Yale to Cusco
To understand the importance of what is displayed at Casa Concha, it is necessary to know how it got there. When Bingham carried out his expeditions in 1912 and 1915, he removed thousands of objects from the site: human remains, ceramics, bronze tools, jewelry, textiles, and bone materials. All this material was sent to the United States under an agreement with the Peruvian government that was ambiguously written regarding the terms of the loan.
For decades, the Peruvian government demanded the return of these artifacts, arguing that the original agreement was a temporary loan rather than a permanent transfer. Yale responded with different interpretations, and the material remained in storage at the Peabody Museum without being publicly accessible.
The resolution came between 2010 and 2012 after negotiations involving Peru, the United States, Yale University, and Peru’s Ministry of Culture. The agreement established the full return of the collection. The artifacts were sent to Cusco in several shipments and distributed among museums, with Casa Concha receiving the most significant portion.
What You Can See at Casa Concha
The collection is organized into thematic rooms covering different aspects of Machu Picchu and Inca civilization.
Ceramics are the largest group, including aríbalos (large storage vessels), ceremonial bowls, plates, and vessels decorated with geometric designs typical of the Cusco imperial style.
Bronze tools include topos (garment pins), tumis (ceremonial knives), needles, and other everyday and ritual objects.
Ritual objects include figurines, conopas used in agricultural rituals, and funerary materials that help reconstruct the population of Machu Picchu.
Human remains are displayed with academic context, focusing on their contribution to understanding the site.
There is also a section with original photographs taken by Bingham during the expeditions, showing the site covered in vegetation and the early excavation process.
Hours and Admission
Casa Concha is located at Santa Catalina Ancha 320, two blocks from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday hours are reduced and may vary during local holidays.
Admission is affordable for foreign visitors, with discounts for students. A full visit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Why Visit Casa Concha Before Machu Picchu
Visiting before Machu Picchu helps provide context: understanding the objects, the people who used them, and their journey from Yale back to Peru enhances the experience of the citadel.
The museum adds a human dimension—potters, women, priests, and workers—that is not visible in the stone structures of the site.
Why Visit Casa Concha After Machu Picchu
Visiting after the site offers a different perspective, allowing visitors to connect artifacts with the exact spaces where they were found.
Bingham’s photos are especially impactful after visiting, showing the dramatic transformation of the site over time.
Casa Concha and the San Blas Neighborhood
Its central location makes it easy to combine with a walk through San Blas, known for artisan shops, small restaurants, and scenic views of Cusco.
Peru Sites Recommendation
At Peru Sites, we recommend including Casa Concha in your Cusco itinerary as part of acclimatization before Machu Picchu. Contact us to plan your full itinerary.
