Qorikancha – The Temple of the Sun

Qorikancha—meaning “Golden Enclosure”—was the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated to Inti, the Sun God.

• Awe-inspiring Inca architecture: Built with perfectly cut and fitted stones, without mortar, it remains remarkably earthquake-resistant.
• Gilded splendor: Once its walls and sculptures, including corn, llamas, and Inca rulers, were covered in gold and silver—Spanish conquest stripped much of this treasure.
• Colonial overlay: The Spaniards built the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo atop the Inca foundations, preserving the ancient walls beneath.
• Astronomical observatory: Qorikancha had aligned windows and niches to mark solstices, equinoxes, and oversee agricultural calendars.
• Temples within: Besides the Sun, it contained sanctuaries to the Moon, Venus (stars), Rainbow, and Lightning—each richly adorned.
• Legacy today: A striking symbol of Inca-Spanish fusion, the site includes Inca courtyards, colonial structures, fountains, and a museum showcasing artifacts.