The Archiepiscopal Religious Circuit (ARC) shows the visitor the splendor of Cusco and Peru’s viceroy world. An exclusive show of Cusqueño art, including architecture, painting, sculpture, wood carving and music, combines the most diverse styles from the third decade of the 6th century. It begins with the transition style and moves on to mannerism, passing by works from the Dark Ages, Baroque period, Rococo and finishing with Neoclassical. These important works of art, kept within Cusco’s most important religious monuments, were created by European, Indian and Mestizo artists. They reflect the meeting and clash of two cultures, their symbiosis in a fusion of ideas and double standard of values. You can choose to spend a half-day, full day or more to do the Archiepiscopal Religious Circuit through surprise-filled and obscure Cusco. The main religious monuments to visit are:

The Cusco Cathedral.- This monument, whose final consecration was in 1669, is 132 years old. Today it has become the icon of the city; the magnificent temple has more than 4,000 m2, containing 11 chapels, 1 sacristy, 7 altarpieces, 1 choir chamber made of intricately carved Cusqueño cedar and more than 300 paintings, wood carvings and sculptures.

Triumph Temple.– The temple received its name because of the ancient monument, the Triumph, which was constructed in commemoration of the miraculous descent of the Virgin on Sunturwasi. It contains seven altarpieces in Baroque and Neoclassical style. The greatest altarpiece stands out with its gold rock and 22-karat gold-leaf coating. Another is done in the plateresque style and was once part of the original Cusco Cathedral.

Temple of the Holy Family.- Built in the 18th century, this church was annexed to the Cathedral because of its cross. Within its walls it contains 8 lateral altarpieces. The greatest altarpiece is extraordinarily carved with 3 passages and 2 bodies completely covered in 22-karat gold leaf. It possesses a rich collection of Cusqueño paintings from the 17th century. Also on display is the Virgin of Copacabana from the 16th century.

Archiepiscopal Palace.- Built on top of the ancient Incan palace Inca Roqa, it was once the home of Friar Vicente of Valverde, Cusco’s first bishop. There is a patio with portico galleries, Venician floor tiles, carved wooden doors, an exquisite chapel with a clear wood ceiling, a Baroque altarpiece and a beautiful lounge. It shelters a rich collection of viceroy art.

Saint Blas Temple.- The primitive Saint Blas chapel, situated in the ancient Incan area of T’oqokachi, was one of the first parish churches in Cusco. It shelters a rich pictorial collection with a particularly outstanding series of the life and death of Saint Blas, bishop and martyr. The major attraction is the world-known Saint Blas pulpit, a magisterial ensemble of carved cedar stacked with giant spikes. There are more than 70 different figures carved in Baroque style and divided into three parts: the “tasa”, the “antepecho” and the “tornavoz.”