The Qoricancha archaeological complex is located in the city of Cusco, Peru. It was the most important temple of the Inca Empire, and its name comes from the Quechua words Quri Kancha, meaning “Golden Enclosure.”
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History of Qoricancha
It was built on the oldest settlement site in Cusco around 1200 AD. The Inca Manco Capac chose its location between two rivers for strategic and agricultural reasons.
Architecture of Qoricancha
Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, is a masterpiece of engineering. Built around 1200 AD, the Inca Manco Capac chose its location between the Huatanay and Tullumayo rivers for military and irrigation purposes. He founded the Inti Cancha a small house where his sisters lived on the oldest settlement in Cusco, making it one of the most sacred and revered sites in the entire Inca Empire.
It was the Inca Pachacutec who elevated the site to its greatest sacred importance. He had designed Cusco in the shape of a puma, placing Qoricancha beneath the puma’s tail in the area associated with the reproductive organs an ancient symbol of power connected to lunar worship. Construction was characterized by a unique technique: partially worked stones were transported from the quarries to the building site, where the Incas then fitted each block with extraordinary precision, achieving a perfect interlocking finish. The wedge stones, carved with masterful skill, served not only a structural function but also added an element of intricate beauty to the construction.
The apsidal Temple of the Sun comprised four smaller temple complexes arranged around a central courtyard. Its facade featured a magnificent wall of the finest masonry, uniformly decorated with a continuous band of pure gold running three meters above the ground, and a noble, ingeniously crafted thatched roof supported by a framework of gold wire.
The walls were formed of natural stones, perfectly interlocked without mortar, with a slightly cushioned surface on the sides that emphasized their aesthetic simplicity.
The stone blocks were interlocked toward the top, visually emphasizing the height of the structure.
The circumference of the temple measured more than 365 meters. Its main portal was on the north side and, like the lateral entrances, was covered with sheets of gold. At that time, there was no triangular atrium serving as an entrance to the colonial church, and the sinuous wall running at a right angle to the Ahuacpinta streets still preserves a section of the original Inca wall.
Main highlights of Qoricancha
The Temple of the Sun is accompanied by four additional temple complexes, all of which can be explored today:
- The Temple of the Sun: This was the most important structure of all. According to the chronicler Garcilaso, the embalmed bodies of the Sons of the Sun were kept inside this temple, seated on golden chairs and resting on golden boards. The walls were entirely covered in gold, and a large disc representing the Sun was made from a sheet of gold thicker than all the other gold plates covering the temple.
- The Temple of the Moon: Located closest to the Temple of the Sun, this structure occupies the western side of Qoricancha’s inner courtyard. The Moon was considered the wife of the Sun, and the temple’s interior was lined with silver panels, featuring a representation of the Moon crafted entirely in silver. The mummies of the Coyas the Inca queens were kept inside, arranged in order of antiquity. Half of the temple was demolished by the Spanish to build the nave of the Church of Santo Domingo.
- The Temple of Venus and the Stars: Located near the Temple of the Moon and occupying part of the western side of Qoricancha’s inner courtyard, this temple was separated from its neighbor by a beautiful narrow passageway. It was dedicated to Venus, the Pleiades, and all the other stars. The Incas called Venus “Chasca,” meaning star. During the Inca period, sunlight illuminated these chambers at the winter solstice. The Incas believed that every star in the sky had been placed there in correspondence with all the animals of the earth. According to historical sources, the Inca himself would be present in this temple to receive divine honors or to witness festivals and sacrifices performed in the rectangular courtyard.
- The Temple of Illapa or Chuki Illapa: This temple stands across from the Temple of Venus. Illapa or Chukillapa means lightning, thunder, and storm. It has three evenly spaced, slightly trapezoidal single-jamb doorways, as well as one window on each lateral wall.
- The Temple of K’uychi the Rainbow: Located to the north of the Temple of Illapa and across from the Temple of the Moon, on the eastern side of Qoricancha’s inner courtyard, this temple has two access openings and numerous niches, all built without mortar. According to Inca Garcilaso, the rainbow was painted in vivid colors from one wall to the other. This temple was dedicated to the worship of the rainbow, which according to ancient belief originated from the Sun. Its architectural features are identical to those of the Temple of Illapa.
- Intipampa: Located to the north of what was once the Qoricancha, this open space follows a tradition found across civilizations throughout history, where broad plazas were built in front of temples. Intipampa translates as “plain of the Sun” and was the gathering place for nobles, their courts, servants, dancers, and other attendants. This space corresponds to what is now the Plaza de Santo Domingo, and its boundaries and extent appear to have changed very little over the centuries.
- The Solar Garden: Located on the western side of Qoricancha, this garden became a great repository for offerings brought by all the nations conquered by the Incas. These tributes to the Sun God consisted of representations of the flora and fauna of the Tahuantinsuyo, and according to some historians, they were life-size figures made of gold and silver — so numerous that they filled the terraced garden in an astonishing display, which is why the Spanish called it the Solar Garden. During the colonial period, it was converted into an orchard for the Dominican friars.
- The Fountains: It is said that fountains were spread throughout the entire Qoricancha complex. Today, a fountain with octagonal corners can still be seen in the courtyard. There were originally five water fountains in total. The source of their water was kept a closely guarded secret, and the fountains held deep religious significance, adorned with precious metals.
Spiritual and astronomical significance of Qoricancha
Similarities can be found among the semicircular temples at the Temple of the Sun in Cusco, the Torreon at Machu Picchu, and the Temple of the Sun at Pisac. All three feature a parabolic enclosing wall of the finest masonry, and all were used for similar purposes, including the observation of solstices and Inca constellations.
The Incas identified dark areas or clouds within the Milky Way, which they called yana phuyu. These were seen as the silhouettes or shadows of animals drinking from the river. Among the animals identified by the Incas was a Llama stretching from Scorpius to Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri, where two stars formed the eyes of the llama, known as llamaq ñawin. A baby llama was depicted inverted below it. To the left of the llamas stood a red-eyed fox, atuq, located between Sagittarius and the tail of Scorpius. The tail of Scorpius was known as a storehouse or qullpa. A partridge (yutu) was positioned beneath the Southern Cross, a toad (hamp’atu) to the right, and a serpent (machaway) nearby.
During Inti Raymi, the Sapa Inca and the curacas would proceed from Hauycaypata where they greeted the rising sun of the June solstice to the inner courtyard of Qoricancha. In a seat within the “Solarium,” the Sapa Inca would sit alongside the mummies of his ancestors.
Qoricancha was a site of immense importance within Inca astronomy.
How to visit Qoricancha: Practical information
The most common way to visit Qoricancha is through the City Tour, which in addition to Qoricancha includes other archaeological sites in the city of Cusco — the Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay — with an estimated visit time of 4 to 5 hours in a shared or private group.
The other option is to visit independently by purchasing your entrance ticket at the door. A self-guided visit takes approximately 40 minutes to one hour, or you can hire a resident guide available at the entrance.
Location and how to get there
The Qoricancha Temple is located in the heart of the city, about 2 blocks from the Plaza de Armas, between Avenida El Sol and Calle Santo Domingo.
Hours and admission fees
Visiting hours:
- Monday through Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Sundays: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Admission: S/ 20.00 for adults / S/ 10.00 for students.
Visit tips
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the season.
- Bring your camera and make the most of the photo opportunities note that some areas may have photography restrictions.
- Maintain respectful behavior throughout your visit.
Qoricancha today: A living heritage site
The city of Cusco was recognized as a Living Heritage site in 1983.
