Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus
Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Andean Baroque Route begins in the Main Square of Cusco, in one of the most significant temples of this architectural style. Construction began in 1576 on the Inca temple Amaru Cancha, and was completely refurbished in 1650 after a strong earthquake hit the city. Of Latin cross, its façade is richly decorated stone, it has two large towers and two adjoining chapels. Its interior retains one of the most impressive altars carved in wood and covered in gold leaf, as well as a rich collection of sculptures and painting from the Cusqueña School of Art. The architecture of the temple served as a model for many other temples that were built in the Southern Andes.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
782 reviews
Excellent
439
Very good
275
Average
58
Poor
7
Terrible
3
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midwaytoheaven
Midway, UT3,037 contributions
Jan 2020
The Compania de Jesus is a beautiful church and located across the street from the Cusco Cathedral and the main city plaza. You can't miss it. It exterior is incredibly detailed with two very tall bell towers. Sadly, this church has been built on the original site of the Inca Temple Amaru Cancha which the Spanish leveled about 1570 after stripping all the Inca gold and silver from their Temple.
BOTTOM LINE: Loved seeing this beautiful church but wonder why this church was necessary since it is located directly across from from the massive Cathedral. It has stood now for over 300 years and is definitely worth your exploring. MY RATING: 9/10
BOTTOM LINE: Loved seeing this beautiful church but wonder why this church was necessary since it is located directly across from from the massive Cathedral. It has stood now for over 300 years and is definitely worth your exploring. MY RATING: 9/10
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,560 contributions
Oct 2019
The "Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús" ("Church of the Society of Jesus", in English), is one of the most emblematic churches in the historical center of Cusco. Right at the "Plaza de Armas", this awesome Spanish baroque construction will certainly catch immediately your attention. It was built by the Jesuit priests, in 1576, over the ruins of the ancient "Amarucancha" - the palace of "Huayna Cápac", a great Inca ruler. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1650, it was beautifully rebuilt in 1668. Check its main altar and interior. A fantastic collection of early "cusqueño" art paintings and sculptures await your visit! Enjoy!
Written July 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wesley C
Tucson, AZ10,282 contributions
Oct 2019
Any visit to Cusco must include the magnificent Jesuit Church (Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus) on the Plaza de Armas. Although it is smaller than the nearby Cusco Catedral, I liked it better. The Spanish Baroque exterior is much more ornate. Very beautiful interior, but no photos allowed in the main chapel. Construction began in 1576, but it was badly damaged in the 1650 earthquake. The rebuilt church was completed in 1668. Took a narrow staircase up to an observation deck in the base of the Bell Towers. Nice views of the Catedral and Plaza.
This was also the only place where photos were allowed inside. Could get pics of the ceiling and the main altar in the distance. Highly recommend it!
This was also the only place where photos were allowed inside. Could get pics of the ceiling and the main altar in the distance. Highly recommend it!
Written April 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tourist54220
Manitowoc, WI186 contributions
Feb 2020
It doesn't matter what your religion is, you will be inspired by the beauty and history of this church. The artwork is fabulous, including the mural of the Last Supper with a cuy on the table. If you are a Christian or Catholic, this place will speak to your heart for sure.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patrick d
Calais, France8,335 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Entrance 10 floors, photos prohibited. We still take some... Reliefs and paintings of great beauty, as in other religious buildings. No real surprise then. However, if you take the staircase on the left side upon entering, you will overlook the entire nave and you will also have a superb view of the Place d'Armes. Be careful, very steep and narrow stairs, be careful.
Written October 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1234texas
Seabrook, TX5,282 contributions
Feb 2020
This is the most significant building in the city and well worth your time to stop here. The structures is big and beautiful with many interesting points to be explored and admired. You want a guided tour with this one.
The gardens around the cathedral are very nice.
The gardens around the cathedral are very nice.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AKSailor
Anchorage, AK36 contributions
Oct 2019
The Compañía de Jesus is a church in Cusco bordering the Plaza de Armas. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and, therefore, a prime target for Spanish revisionist architecture: this Jesuit church is built atop the demolished "Amarucancha" palace of the Inca Huayna Cápac that was one of the largest palaces surrounding the main square of Qosqo (the Inca capital). According to what we learned in a tour of the church, building began in 1576, a mere 44 years after the Spanish begin their conquest of the Inca civilization in 1532.
Be SURE to hire a tour guide in the church since the details make this church different that the many others that you can see. The price is nominal and the instruction is worth many times more. For example, there is a painting near the entry that depicts the wedding of the Spanish captain who captured Tupac Amaru (last indigenous Inca ruler) and one of Tupac Amaru's nieces. The painting is worth your understanding.
The gold that one finds covering everything in the church is Inca gold, stolen from the locals. Its sheer mass is jaw-dropping. Also of interest is the basement (I'm sure that there's a Catholic name for it), in the floor of which is a window that shows the many passages that lead off into the subterranean Inca palace. Rumor has it that many Spaniards perished while searching for gold in the guts of the church.
Our wonderful trilingual guide was Elsa, and if she's available, we can highly recommend her for her extensive knowledge.
Be SURE to hire a tour guide in the church since the details make this church different that the many others that you can see. The price is nominal and the instruction is worth many times more. For example, there is a painting near the entry that depicts the wedding of the Spanish captain who captured Tupac Amaru (last indigenous Inca ruler) and one of Tupac Amaru's nieces. The painting is worth your understanding.
The gold that one finds covering everything in the church is Inca gold, stolen from the locals. Its sheer mass is jaw-dropping. Also of interest is the basement (I'm sure that there's a Catholic name for it), in the floor of which is a window that shows the many passages that lead off into the subterranean Inca palace. Rumor has it that many Spaniards perished while searching for gold in the guts of the church.
Our wonderful trilingual guide was Elsa, and if she's available, we can highly recommend her for her extensive knowledge.
Written November 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EricLR_13
Los Angeles, United States25 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
This is a gem of Spanish Renaissance architecture with magnificent Baroque altarpieces. Make sure you see the painting of Saint Ignatius Loyola trampling Luther, Calvin, and other Protestant leaders dressed as Turks. The most entertaining piece of Counterreformation painting I’ve ever seen.
Written December 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake23
New Jersey6,833 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
This is another gorgeous church in the heart of Cusco. After visiting the cathedral stop in here to view as well. The inside is as amazing as the outside. Its 10 soles per person to enter, but it's worth it.
Written June 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrahamP113
Witham, UK2,080 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
An incredible Cathedral which is enormous built in the shape of a cross. Built in different styles over many years. The grandeur is amazing
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I will be in Cusco for our 25th wedding anniversary. I am possibly looking to renew our vows while here. Any suggestions??
Thanks!
Mark
Written May 25, 2016
You could probably ask the concierge at the Hotel Monasterio Cusco. Plus this hotel was a former Monastery and is just beautiful, and it could also be a great choice for vows
Written May 25, 2016
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