On one side of the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, the imposing church of the Company of Jesus stands out, one of the Christian temples built during the colonial era. Like many colonial monuments, this temple was built on the old Amarucancha (palace of the Inca Huayna Cápac). Currently the church is part of the 'Andean Baroque Circuit', a visit to the baroque temples of Cusco that also includes the Church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas, the temple of San Juan Bautista de Huaro and the chapel of the Purified Virgin of Canincunca .
The Church of the Company of Jesus is a baroque temple of Catholic worship that was built by the Jesuit religious order approximately between 1571 and 1593. It is one of the most important churches in Cusco together with the Cathedral. The architecture of the temple harmonizes symmetry and beauty. Its façade with ornamental decoration, its main altar, its canvases created by the 'cusco school', the dome, the silver and gold objects and more stand out.
The Church of the Company of Jesus is located in the Plaza de Armas of the city of Cusco.
To visit the church of the Compañía de Jesús in Cusco, you must walk to the Plaza de Armas. Another option is to take a taxi. Two huge churches stand out in the square: the largest is the Cathedral of Cuzco. The other, the church of the Company of Jesus.
Like most of the churches in the city of Cusco, the Compañía de Jesús temple was built on the foundations of an Inca palace (the royal house of the Inca Huayna Cápac, also known as the 'Amarucancha'). According to the chronicles of the time, the Jesuits arrived in the city in 1571. The first works began in 1578 and had the support of Doña Teresa Ordoñez, wife of the conquistador Diego de Silva, who acquired the land belonging to Hernando Pizarro. The works finished in 1593, although the main altar (the work of Bernardo Bitti and Pedro Vargas) was placed in 1605.
In 1650 a strong earthquake destroyed the western wall causing various damage. In the following years, the necessary repairs were carried out until it maintained its current shape, with two towers and bell towers, a large nave with columns and a baroque decoration where the canvases and the beautifully decorated main altar stand out. The chronicles mention the authorship of the work to the Dutchman Juan Bautista Egidiano. The dimensions of this church are not as big as the Cathedral of Cusco, although both present a brilliant decoration.
Currently, the church of the Company of Jesus is one of the most important and imposing Christian temples in the city of Cusco. It is part of the 'Andean Baroque Circuit' along with other churches in the region such as: the church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas, the temple of San Juan Bautista de Huaro and the chapel of the Purified Virgin of Canincunca.
The temple is made up of two side chapels crowned by two bell towers. It has a single nave supported by columns. The entire building is made of andesite stone and pink balsate. The facade composed of windows, balcony, openings and niches; It is a sample of colonial baroque art. On both sides of the church there are two side chapels called: 'Chapel of Indians' (also called chapel of the Virgin of Loreto) and the 'Chapel of San Ignacio'. Its solid but beautifully decorated structure has made it one of the most beautiful temples in the city of Cusco.
The facade – The facade is considered one of the best examples of the colonial baroque style in Cusco. It consists of two cubic towers that support the bell towers. In the middle there is a central façade that is repeated in other churches in the city. The upper part of it has a decoration with cornices, central windows on a balcony without a railing. The niches, openings, pilasters that give strength and beauty to the temple stand out. The side towers have clocks. At the top and in the middle, there is a cross, a symbol of Christianity.
Painting – Like most of the churches in Cusco, the Compañía de Jesús temple has beautifully created canvases by artists belonging to the famous 'Escuela cusqueña' (mainly during the 17th century). The temple has canvases and sculptures by the artists Cristo de Burgos, Marcos Zapata and Diego de la Puente. The canvas depicting the marriage of Martín García de Loyola (San Ignacio's nephew) with Beatriz Clara Coya (Inca princess) stands out.
The main altar – The main altar of the Compañía de Jesús church in Cusco is made of cedar and covered with fine sheets of gold. It is divided into three bodies where the set of Solomonic columns stand out. It was placed in 1605 by the artist Cristóbal Clemente. In the upper central part, the sculptural figure of the Immaculate Conception stands out. They also highlight various ornaments such as canvases and decorations in precious stones.
The price of admission to the church of the Society of Jesus is 16 Peruvian soles for adults (5 US dollars, approximately). The visit during mass hours (from 7 am to 8 am) is free.
The tour of the 'Andean Baroque Circuit' offers a visit to the church of the Company of Jesus, the Church of San Pedro Apóstol (town of Andahuaylillas), the temple of San Juan Bautista (town of Huaro) and the chapel of the Virgin Purified (town of Canincunca). Includes full transportation and tour guide service. The price of the tour is 60 Peruvian soles (20 American dollars, approximately).
The church is open to tourist visits every day, except Sunday and Thursday, from 10 am to 11.30 am.
The church is built on the remains of the palace of the Inca Huayna Cápac, known as the 'Amarucancha' (house of the great serpent, in the Quechua language). According to the chronicles, the name is due to the fact that an immense snake that the Inca brought back from his conquests in Antisuyo (region of the jungle) would have been kept there.
Take advantage of your visit to Cusco to see the church of the Company of Jesus and other colonial temples in the city such as: the church of San Cristóbal, the church of Santo Domingo (Coricancha), the church of Santa Clara, the church of San Pedro, the Cathedral of Cusco and others.
The facade of the church is one of the most beautiful in Cusco, which is why it is also one of the most photographed. Do not miss the opportunity to take a photo of this religious temple. From the Plaza de Armas you can get good shots.
Remember that you cannot take pictures or film inside the church of the Compañía de Jesús del Cusco. You can tour and appreciate the treasures of this temple but always keeping silence because it is an important Christian temple.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
