Museo de Arte Precolombino Cusco, Art museum in San Blas district, Cusco, Peru.

The Museo de Arte Precolombino Cusco houses over 450 objects from the region, including ceramics, metalwork, and textiles created by different civilizations spanning more than 3000 years. The exhibition fills ten galleries where visitors can follow how these cultures developed and changed over time.

The building began as an Inca ceremonial courthouse. In 1580 the conquistador Alonso Díaz acquired it and rebuilt it in colonial style as the mansion of Viceroy Hernandez de Cabrera, after whom it is named. It later passed through many hands and several functions before falling into ruin; the Fundación BBVA restored it, and the museum reopened in June 2003.

The collection displays works from societies that shaped the Andes over thousands of years, revealing how each civilization expressed its beliefs and values. Visitors can observe how these peoples used art to communicate with their gods and mark their place in the world.

The museum sits on the Plazoleta de las Nazarenas in the San Blas district, a short uphill walk from Cusco's main square. Its ten galleries occupy a restored colonial mansion around a courtyard, so allow a couple of hours to see the 450 pieces. The auditorium seats 120 people and hosts lectures and local events.

A special room focuses on goldwork and reveals how Andean peoples understood metal as a language between the visible and invisible worlds. These objects were far more than decoration; they served as sacred connections between humans and deities.