The Museums of Cusco
Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
Location: Plazoleta Nazarenas, one block from the Plaza de Armas. Casa Cabrera, in this extraordinary historical monument, synthesizes the history of urban architecture in the imperial city, from the segments of the Inca wall that are still preserved, to the republican balconies that overlook the interior courtyard. It served as the seat of the convent of Santa Clara until in the seventeenth century, the house was bought by Don Jeronimo Luis de Cabrera and the Cerda, whose nobiliary shield appears until today on the stone portal. In 1981 the Continental Bank acquired the property and carried out a restoration work in order to value it, rescuing its architectural characteristics. In 2002, Banco Continental joined forces with the Larco Museum in Lima to open the doors of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum – MAP, in June 2003. The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art rescues and reinterprets the plastic message of the pre-Columbian Peruvian man. The museography and lighting highlights the beauty of the painting and sculpture of Peruvian prehistory through eleven rooms, exposing the work of those anonymous artists whose work is still a source of pride and admiration. It gathers, in its 11 rooms, 450 works from 1250 BC, until 1532 AD. They were selected from a universe of 45 thousand objects belonging to the Larco Archaeological Museum collection in Lima. Restaurant inside the Cabrera House. Visiting hours: Monday to Sunday and holidays 09:00 – 22:00 hours.
Concha House Museum
Location: Santa Catalina Ancha No. 320. Exhibition of more than 360 archaeological pieces of Machu Picchu that were returned by Yale University, USA. Visitors will appreciate pieces of ceramics, stone and metal objects, fragments of bones, as well as an almost complete skeleton of a male between 23 and 25 years old who were found in the first excavations of Machu Picchu. There are currently 11 exhibition rooms, each of which has been carefully created to offer an interesting insight into the aspects of Machu Picchu’s life and history.
Regional Historical Museum
Location: Calle Heladeros s / n. Sheltered in the House of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. It has its origins in the Viceroyalty Museum, it is a space for reflection on Cuzco’s regional history through the exhibition of the rich and varied Cultural Heritage that it conserves; propitiating an approach of the public with its past, present and future. Exhibition of paleontological and archaeological objects from pre-Hispanic times, cultural assets of the viceregal, republican and contemporary period. Visiting hours: Monday to Sunday 08:00 – 19:00 hours.
Religious Art Museum
Location: Hatun Rumiyoc street s / n. Exhibition of religious art works from the colonial era and paintings; located in the Archbishop’s Palace, beautiful colonial mansion, which highlights its front and rear balcony that was built on the royal palace of the Inca Sinchi Roca. In one of its megalithic walls, on the side, in Hatun Rumiyoc street, is the famous stone of the 12 angles, cut and carved stone blocks that has 12 vertices and is assembled in perfect shape, not being able to enter a blade knife between its joints. Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday 08:00 – 11:30 and 15:00 – 17:30
Koricancha Site Museum
Location: Plazoleta Intipampa, corner of Av. El Sol and Santo Domingo street. Exhibition of the collection of Inca and pre-Inca archaeological pieces found in the excavations carried out in the “Koricancha Temple”. Paintings, sculptures, religious ornaments Liturgical objects and colonial architecture. Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 09:00 a.m. to 12:00 hr.
Santa Catalina Museum
Location: Santa Catalina Angosta street. Exhibition of easel paintings, mural painting, wood carvings and religious ornaments, objects of religious art from the viceregal period. The pieces that stand out are the paintings of Diego Quispe Tito and the carpet of the Arcade Gallery, as well as religious ornaments with gold and silver threads. The paintings of the Cuzqueña School with religious themes stand out. Side chapel of the baroque and the main altar of carved cedar wood. Visiting hours: Mon. to Sab. 09:00 – 16:00
Archaeological Museum of the National University San Antonio Abad
Location: Admiral No. 103. Exhibit of archaeological pieces of the Inca Culture, and objects and furniture from the colonial era. Located in the “Casa del Almirante” construction of the seventeenth century, which belonged to Admiral Francisco Aldrete Maldonado, old colonial house with a stone facade that displays the nobility shields, has very beautiful coffered ceilings, important monument of colonial architecture. Visiting hours: Mon. to Friday. 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Sat. and holidays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Contemporary Art Museum
Location: Municipal Palace, Plaza Cusipata. The Museum of Contemporary Art of the Municipality of Cu
