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 name means "golden enclosure" in Quechua, recalling the metal-clad walls that once reflected sunlight across the courtyard. Visitors today step through the same entrance that only priests and nobility could use during the most important ceremonies of the year.
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.
A stone pillar in the main courtyard casts shadows in specific directions during the solstices. This astronomical function helped Inca priests determine the agricultural calendar and the timing of religious festivals.
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