Qorikancha: guide to the Inca Temple of the Sun
Qorikancha, “the golden enclosure”, was the most sacred temple of the Inca Empire. Today it offers one of the most striking images in Cusco: flawless Inca walls fused with the colonial convent of Santo Domingo, built right on top of them. Here is its story and how to visit.
The golden Temple of the Sun
At the heart of the Inca capital, Qorikancha was dedicated to Inti, the sun god, along with other deities such as the moon, the stars and thunder. Spanish chroniclers described walls covered with sheets of gold and a courtyard with life-size figures of plants and animals in gold and silver. All of it was melted down after the conquest — but the building that held it survives.
The finest Inca stonework
What remains is some of the finest Inca masonry anywhere: perfectly cut blocks of dark andesite, fitted without mortar and designed to withstand earthquakes. When strong earthquakes struck Cusco, including the one in 1950, parts of the colonial convent collapsed while the Inca walls stood firm — and the damage revealed more of the temple hidden underneath. Do not miss the famous curved wall on the outside, the trapezoidal niches and the precision of the inner chambers.
See the Qorikancha with a local guide
Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay in one morning.
Where two worlds meet
After the conquest, the Dominican order built the convent of Santo Domingo directly over the temple, reusing its foundations. Walking through the cloister, you see dark Inca stone supporting white colonial arches — Cusco’s history told in a single building.
How to visit
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Historic centre, a short walk from the Plaza de Armas |
| Entrance | Separate ticket, not included in the Boleto Turístico |
| On our City Tour | Entrance included |
| Time needed | About 1 hour |
| Effort | Easy and flat: ideal for your first day |
See it on the Cusco City Tour
Our Cusco City Tour (US $18) starts at the Qorikancha (entrance paid separately) and continues to Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. A guide makes a real difference here: the stories, the astronomy and the details of the stonework are easy to miss on your own. More in Cusco’s top Inca sites and our Boleto Turístico guide.
Frequently asked questions
The Inca Temple of the Sun in Cusco, the most sacred temple of the empire, on which the Spanish later built the convent of Santo Domingo.
No, it has its own ticket. On our Cusco City Tour the Qorikancha entrance is not included; you pay it at the door.
About an hour, or a little more if you want to explore the convent and gardens calmly.
According to Spanish chroniclers, its walls were lined with sheets of gold. All the gold was melted down after the conquest.
In Cusco’s historic centre, a short walk from the Plaza de Armas.
