Coricancha, Sun temple in Cusco, Peru.
Coricancha is a sun temple in the historic center of Cusco, Peru, built from carefully shaped calcite and andesite blocks. The precise construction shows seamless joints where individual stones fit together without mortar.
The temple was built in the 15th century during the reign of Inca ruler Pachacuti, who expanded it into the religious center of the empire. After the Spanish conquest in the 1530s, the convent of Santo Domingo was erected directly on top of the remaining foundation walls.
The Quechua name Quri Kancha means "golden enclosure", from quri (gold) and kancha (enclosure). The Inca also called the temple Intikancha or Intiwasi, "house of the Sun". During Inti Raymi, the Sapa Inca and curacas walked from Haucaypata to the temple's inner court after greeting the June solstice sun.
The site sits in the historic center and can be reached on foot from Plaza de Armas in a few minutes. The altitude should be considered when planning a visit, as many travelers need time to adjust to the thinner air after arrival.
In a block of the second course of stones, three holes may have drained rainwater or chicha from the courtyard. Folklorist Augusto León Barandiarán found that striking them produces the notes D, A and G.
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