Best Museums in Cusco

In the city of Cusco there are a great number of museums that are evidence of the cultures that passed through this city. One of the most important in South America is the Inca culture, which had as its capital the city of Cusco itself. There is no doubt that it left a historical and cultural legacy that can be traced through the history of these museums by anyone who wants to know more about Andean culture.

Below, you can find a list of 5 museums where you can experience part of this culture that represents the city:

The Santa Catalina Museum was built in the early 17th century. This place has beautiful architecture, a large art collection that portrays the Andean culture and samples of Cusco art. The museum is located on Santa Catalina Angosta street.

The Qoricancha Temple Museum represents one of the most important temples of the Inca civilization, also known as the Temple of the Sun. During the time of the Incas, different gold statues could be found throughout the temple because the Incas worshipped the Sun. However, the conquerors during the conquest took out all the gold found. Nowadays, ceramics and vessels from the Inca period are shown, as well as metallurgical objects, clothes and textiles, paintings and pictures, sculptures and musical instruments.

The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is located in the Plaza de las Nazarenas, in the heart of San Blas. This museum is a beautiful old colonial house with a large central patio. Here you can see ceramics and articles of the Nazca culture, as well as gold and silver jewelry.

The Cathedral Museum, located in the Plaza de Armas, is the most important cathedral in the city of Cusco. It is said that its construction began in 1550 and was completed 100 years later. On the tour you will see the religious circuits that are very popular for their gold and silver pieces, the painting of the Last Supper or the Sacristy and a huge cedar wood carved in the baroque style.

The Pisco Museum is located on the corner of Santa Catalina Ancha and Ruinas streets, it has a variety of pisco to prepare your own chilcano or pisco sour, traditional Peruvian cocktails. In addition, the atmosphere is accompanied by live music and a contemporary decoration that makes it a pleasant place to visit.

This list of museums is part of what you can find around the Inca city, and there is a great variety for different interests. If you want to know more about the pre-Hispanic history of Peru, add these museums to your traveler’s checklist on your next trip to Cusco!