Cusco & Inca temples

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Temple of the Ray:

An important place of worship in Sacsayhuaman’s citadel was the temple of lightning. It is thought to have been a place of worship for Illapa, the Inca god of lightning. Illapa was a strong god in Inca mythology who commanded lightning and thunder and was revered as a protector of the Incas and their empire. It was constructed from huge stone blocks. No mortar was required to join the blocks together because they were carved and placed with such accuracy. The temple of lightning is thought to have been built in the 15th century, during the reign of the Inca Pachactec.

Cusco cathedral:

It is one of the most important religious buildings in Peru. The construction of the cathedral began in 1559 and was completed in 1669. It was built on the site of the temple of the Inca Wiracocha, which was destroyed by the Spanish conquistadors. The cathedral is a mix of architectural styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic. It also has an impressive collection of religious art, with many works from the Cusco School, one of the most important schools of religious art in Latin America. The cathedral is famous for its main altar, which is made of silver and features many religious artworks and sculptures.

Temple of the Sun: Qorikancha

It was one of the most important temples of the Inca empire. The temple was a sacred place where the Inca priests worshiped the sun, their main deity. Its construction began in the 13th century and continued for the following centuries. The temple was made of stone and had impressive walls and gold decorations. It housed many sacred rooms and enclosures, each dedicated to a deity or aspect of nature. In addition to the sun, the moon, stars, lightning, and other gods were worshipped. The structure of the temple was partially destroyed by the Spanish conquerors in the 16th century.