Koricancha – The Valuable Treasure of the Inca Empire
koricancha is an unmissable site that condenses the history and art of the Imperial City of Cusco. It is the most sacred Temple of the Sun of the Inca Empire, commissioned by the Inca Pachacútec during the Late Horizon after his victory over the Chancas.
Its masterful architecture not only served the cult of the Sun God but also represented the complex Andean cosmovision of the three worlds (the living, the gods, and the dead). Today, the Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán stands atop its magnificent Inca foundations. This site is an impressive display of cultural fusion, exhibiting a superposition of architectural styles and housing valuable artworks from the renowned Cusco School.
Meaning
The name Qorikancha comes from two Quechua words:
- Qori (or Kori): Meaning Gold.
- Kancha: Meaning Enclosure or Courtyard.
The meaning of Qorikancha is “Golden Enclosure.” The temple, dedicated to the Sun God (Inti), was famous because its walls, statues, and sacred objects were completely covered with large sheets of gold and silver.
Location of the Koricancha
This sacred enclosure is located in the heart of the city of Cusco, in the ancient sector known as Hurin Qosqo. Currently, its remains are situated on Avenida El Sol, right next to the Temple of Santo Domingo. Historically, it was located on the esplanade between the Tullumayu and Huatanay rivers, and it is now positioned between Avenida Tullumayu and Avenida El Sol.
Historical Background
The Qorikancha (Golden Enclosure) was the most sacred Inca sanctuary of the Empire. Its construction, integrated into the vision of the imperial city shaped like a puma (Pumac Chupan), originally the Inticancha, reached its peak under the Inca Pachacútec in 1438, after his victory over the Chancas. It was transformed into the Temple of the Sun, covered with pure gold sheets, serving as the cosmological axis and the starting point for the Ceques System.
Following the Spanish Conquest in 1533, it was looted, and the site became the base for the construction of the Convent of Santo Domingo, an act of superposition that symbolized cultural and religious imposition. However, its legacy endures thanks to the perfection of its anti-seismic engineering, which allowed the Inca walls to resist devastating earthquakes (like those in 1650 and 1950) while the colonial structures collapsed, leaving a tangible testament to the resistance and fusion of two cultures today.
Koricancha as a Tourist Attraction
The sacred enclosure of the Koricancha offers a triple perspective: an Inca architectural marvel, a testament to the conquest, and the vitality of Andean cultural traditions.
1. The Architecture of Syncretism
Architectural fusion: The temple has fine stone walls famous for their perfection and for having been covered in gold. Upon these same foundations, the Convent and Church of Santo Domingo were built, showcasing a symbol of two worlds in one place.
2. Sacred Inca Enclosures
These are the remains of the minor temples dedicated to the fundamental deities of the Andean cosmovision, illustrating the complexity of the Inca religion:
- Temple of the Moon (Killa Wasi): Dedicated to Inti’s wife, it was covered in silver.
- Enclosure of the Stars and Venus: Highlights the importance of astronomy in Inca ceremonial life.
- Temple of the Rainbow: Shows the Inca respect for natural phenomena.
- Solar Garden: According to chronicles, representations of flora and fauna made from precious metals were displayed here.
3. Cultural and Ritual Vitality
The Qorikancha is not just a museum of the past; it remains an active part of Cusco’s heritage. Its esplanade is the ceremonial setting where, every June 24th, the solemn and colorful staging of the Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) begins, reconfirming its role as the spiritual center of the city.
Importance
The Koricancha was the central axis of the Ceques System, a network of imaginary lines that started from the Temple of the Sun and extended throughout the Cusco Valley. This system was a complex ritual, geographical, and sociopolitical map that organized the Inca space. The ceques connected over 300 huacas (sacred places) and assigned their care and the performance of rites to different panacas and ayllus of the nobility. In this way, the Qorikancha was not just the sacred temple, but the cosmological zero point that unified religion, social hierarchy, and the management of time and space throughout the entire Tahuantinsuyo.
Conclusion
The Koricancha, a sacred enclosure and the central axis of the ceques of the Tahuantinsuyo, was the Principal Inca Temple, consecrated to the god Inti (Sun), and today houses the Convent of Santo Domingo.
This place is a powerful testament to the conquest, as the Spanish built the church directly on top of the temple’s sacred foundations, destroying parts of the original structure. Most impressively, the Inca architecture, with its perfectly carved stone walls, has resisted earthquakes throughout the centuries, serving as the base for the colonial building and symbolizing the cultural resistance and historical syncretism of Peru.
Contact us:
With Life Expeditions, your dream trip to Peru becomes a reality. Specialists in the Inca Trail and tailor-made packages, we take you to unique places such as:
Ready for a personalized adventure? Your adventure begins now!
