Just 37 kilometers (23 miles) southeast of Cusco, in a quiet town most travelers drive right past, one of the most extraordinary churches in the Americas lies hidden. The Church of San Pedro Apóstol in Andahuaylillas isn’t big or imposing from the outside but once you step through its doors, the interior leaves you speechless. Gilded ceilings, 17th-century murals, and an organ that has survived four centuries: this is Cusco’s Southern Valley.
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What makes the church of Andahuaylillas so famous?
The short answer: its walls. Every inch of the interior is covered with frescoes, canvases from the Cusco School, and gold-leaf details commissioned by the Jesuits between the 16th and 17th centuries. The result is so visually overwhelming that 19th-century European travelers began comparing it to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and the nickname stuck forever.
But beyond the nickname, what truly amazes visitors is how a church in such a small Andean town holds this level of colonial art. The Jesuits chose Andahuaylillas as an evangelization hub and poured resources, artists, and time into the project. The result is a masterpiece that today ranks among the most important examples of Andean Baroque in all of South America.
Location: where is Andahuaylillas?
Andahuaylillas is a small town in the province of Quispicanchi, Cusco Region, located at 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level. It’s part of what’s known as Cusco’s Southern Valley, an archaeological and historical route that also includes Tipón and Pikillaqta. The town itself is very peaceful, with a tree-lined main square and stone streets that have barely changed for centuries.
How to get there from Cusco on your own
The cheapest way to get there is by taking a shared van (colectivo) or minibus from Cusco’s bus terminal (or from Avenida Huáscar in the Santiago neighborhood) heading toward Urcos. Tell the fare collector you’re getting off in Andahuaylillas. The trip takes about 40 to 50 minutes depending on traffic, and costs around 3 to 4 soles. From the highway, the church is just a two-block walk.
If you prefer more comfort, a taxi from central Cusco costs about 50 to 70 soles one way. You can also book a private tour that combines the three Southern Valley sites in a single day, which is the most practical option if you’re short on time.
Distance and travel time to the Southern Valley
Andahuaylillas is 37 km (23 miles) from Cusco’s historic center. Via the Cusco–Urcos road, the ride takes 40 minutes to 1 hour by public transportation, or about 35 minutes by private car. If you also plan to visit Tipón (28 km from Cusco) and Pikillaqta (32 km), the logical route is to go in order of increasing distance: Tipón first, then Pikillaqta, and finally Andahuaylillas.
The Church of San Pedro Apóstol: a journey into Andean Baroque
Originally built in the second half of the 16th century on the foundations of an older structure, the church was extensively renovated and decorated during the 17th century under the direction of Jesuit priests Juan Pérez Bocanegra and Luis de Roa. What you see today is essentially the result of that period: an interior that blends European tradition with Andean iconography in a way you won’t find anywhere else.
The stunning Mudéjar-style ceiling
As you enter, the first thing that grabs your attention is the ceiling. It’s made of wood in a Mudéjar style—the craft tradition the Moors left in Spain and that Spanish colonists brought to the New World. Local artisans built it using a technique called artesonado: wooden pieces fitted together in geometric patterns that, from below, create an almost hypnotic illusion. Painted in red, black, and gold, it’s remarkably well preserved for its age.
Cusco School paintings and gold-leaf frames
The walls and the main altar are covered with canvases attributed to the Cusco School, an artistic movement that emerged in colonial Cusco when Indigenous and mestizo painters learned European techniques and blended them with their own worldview. The frames around these works are covered in gold leaf, giving the interior its signature golden glow. There’s so much gold on the altar that many visitors don’t even know where to look first.
The mural of “The Road to Heaven and the Road to Hell”
On the wall at the back of the church, there’s a large mural that depicts quite literally the two possible destinations of the human soul. The right side shows the narrow path leading to paradise: calm figures walking in a line toward a bright doorway. The left side is the opposite: a wide road full of vices, demons, and the condemned being dragged toward flames. This kind of didactic painting was a common evangelization tool, but few have survived in such good condition.
The Andahuaylillas organ: one of the oldest in the region
In the upper choir above the main entrance sits one of the oldest pipe organs in South America. It was installed in the 17th century and, although it has gone through several restorations, it still preserves part of its original mechanism. For a time it fell silent, but restoration work funded by European institutions brought it back to life. On special dates, colonial music is still performed on the instrument an experience that adds a whole new dimension to the visit.
Practical info: prices and hours (2026)
Admission and the “Andean Baroque Route” ticket
Admission to the Church of Andahuaylillas is not included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC). Tickets are purchased directly at the church entrance and cost approximately 15 soles for foreign visitors (prices may change in 2026, so it’s best to confirm at the time of your visit). There’s also the Andean Baroque Route ticket, which includes entry to several colonial churches in the region such as Huaro and Canincunca. If you plan to visit more than one, this combined ticket is usually the better value.
Visitor hours and Mass times
The church is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, tourist access is more limited due to Mass. It’s best to go in the morning, especially in high season (June to August), when tour groups arrive in large numbers between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. For a quieter experience, aim to be there right when the doors open.
Can you take photos inside the church?
Photography without flash is allowed in most areas, although rules can vary depending on the staff on duty at the time of your visit. Tripods and professional equipment usually require prior authorization. The best approach is to ask when you enter. In any case, the natural morning light coming through the side windows illuminates the altar in a way that’s hard to capture on a phone this is one place where it’s worth watching more than photographing.
What to see in the town of Andahuaylillas
The church is the main reason people come, but the town itself deserves more than a quick stop. Andahuaylillas has a scale and calm that strongly contrast with Cusco, and strolling its streets before or after your visit is part of the experience.
The main square and century-old pisonay trees
Andahuaylillas’ main square is lined with pisonay trees, a native species from the Andean valleys known for its intense red blooms. Some of these trees are over a hundred years old. The plaza has the kind of quiet that’s now hard to find in more touristy historic centers, and from its benches you can see the church’s colonial façade directly. A spot best enjoyed without rushing.
Local crafts and Southern Valley food
Around the plaza you’ll find a few small stands where local vendors sell textiles, ceramics, and other handicrafts without the sales pressure you often feel in Cusco’s central markets. For food, there are simple restaurants serving regional dishes like quinoa soups, lamb broth, and river trout, among others. It’s not a gourmet scene, but the meals are hearty and prices are lower than in Cusco.
Tips for your visit
How to combine Andahuaylillas with Tipón and Pikillaqta
You can visit all three Southern Valley sites in one day without much trouble. The most efficient route starts at Tipón (Inca terraces with irrigation systems still flowing), continues to Pikillaqta (a pre-Inca Wari city the only one of its period in the Cusco region), and ends in Andahuaylillas. In total, including transportation, the circuit takes about 6 to 7 hours. It can be done by public transit with transfers along the main road, but a taxi or private tour makes the logistics much easier.
Best time to visit Cusco’s Southern Valley
The dry season, from May to October, is the best time to visit attractions around Cusco. In the Southern Valley, the rainy season (November to April) can make the roads to Tipón trickier and can make Pikillaqta an open-air site less comfortable to explore. The church itself can be visited year-round without issues. If you travel in July or August, keep in mind those are the busiest months: arriving early is essential.
Frequently asked questions about Andahuaylillas
How long does the church visit take?
The church interior isn’t large, so a steady-paced visit takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If you hire a guide or listen carefully to an audio guide, it can stretch to about an hour. What does take time is soaking in the details there’s so much visual information on the walls that many visitors stay longer than they expected.
Why is it called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”?
The nickname comes from the way the entire interior is covered in paintings, frescoes, and gilded decoration, similar to how Michelangelo covered the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. It’s not a comparison of size (the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel is much larger), but of concept: a space where every available surface was artistically transformed with a clear religious narrative. The term was popularized by 19th-century travelers and chroniclers and has remained part of the site’s identity ever since.
Do you need a guide?
It’s not required, but it’s highly recommended. Without historical context, it’s easy to walk through in ten minutes without really understanding what you’re seeing. A local guide or an audio guide (available in several languages at the entrance) helps you spot iconographic details, understand the symbolism of the murals, and learn about the artists who worked here. Hiring a guide on site is usually very affordable.
What other churches are part of the Andean Baroque Route?
The Andean Baroque Route includes several colonial churches in towns throughout Cusco’s Southern Valley. The main ones are the Church of San Juan Bautista in Huaro, known for its Last Judgment murals that cover the entire nave; the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Canincunca, with a richly decorated main altarpiece; and Andahuaylillas itself. Some expanded versions of the circuit also include churches in Urcos and other towns along the corridor toward Puno. The combined Andean Baroque Route ticket allows entry to several of these sites with a single purchase.
