Iglesia de la Recoleta, Catholic temple in Cusco, Peru.
The Iglesia de la Recoleta is a temple in Cusco with a notable stone exterior structure, complemented by a central tower rising above the main building. The church combines a large brick barrel vault with stone pilasters and shows the typical layout of a colonial Andean church.
Construction of this church started in 1559 under Father Francisco de Velasco and took more than 40 years to complete. Its 1601 completion through funding by Toribio de Bustamante marked an important milestone in Cusco's religious development.
The church shows how Spanish architecture merged with local building methods, especially in its stone walls and tower construction. Visitors can see this blend directly in the way it was built, reflecting the city's history.
The grounds remain accessible during regular opening hours for religious services and welcome visitors most days of the week. Plan your visit around church activities and come in the morning hours to explore the interior when foot traffic is lighter.
After the earthquake of 1688, local craftsman Nicolas Huallpa from Oropesa oversaw restoration of the church tower using traditional building techniques. His work shows how local skilled workers played a key role in rebuilding this important structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
