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As you can see, some Spanish structures are built smack on top of Inca walls. The church of Santa Domingo is a spectacular example, being built over the archeological site of Q'oricancha. |
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Inside Santa
Domingo,
Spanish Baroque arches blend seamlessly with the Inca stones. Of
course,
after the tricentennial earthquakes of 1650 and 1950, the Spanish
elements
needed major repairs, whereas the Inca stones were undisturbed.
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Every town in Perú has a central square, the Plaza de Armas. In Cuzco, the Plaza is dominated by the magnificent Catedral. Photographs are prohibited inside, but there are several chapels litterally dripping with gold and silver behind gilded grills. And the choir, carved in cedar wood, is one of the most ornate ever. |
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From the
catedral steps,
you can see the equally gorgeous Church of La Compañia.
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The Church of La Merced is less grandiose, but its museum is rich in Spanish Baroque art. Some of the art is so delicate and so touching it is hard to reconcile with the proven cruelty of the Spanish conquerors. |
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La Merced
museum is organized
around an enchanting courtyard. When was the last time you saw some
exquisite
XVII century paintings outside?
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The Merced museum is one of those blessed places where the distinction between the art and the building is blurred. |
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And don't
forget to crank
your neck or you might miss the incredible carved and gold-plated
ceilings.
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It is always a shock to exit a quiet church or cloister and find yourself back in a noisy and hectic Cuzco street. |
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Colonial Cuzco
is probably
much more than churches, but for the casual visitor, the secular
colonial
buildings are mostly handsome façades with handsome locked doors.
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