The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, also known as Cusco Cathedral or Catedral del Cusco, stands on the Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco, Peru. Its address is Portal Belén 110, and its main facade faces the square, making it one of the first landmarks visitors encounter in the city centre.
The building is a colonial cathedral, and it was raised on the site of the Inca Viracocha Palace. That layering is part of what makes a visit interesting: the church you see today sits where an earlier Inca structure once stood, so the history of the city is visible in one place.
What to see inside
The cathedral is known for its baroque architecture, and its interior rewards a slow walk. It also holds important religious art, including works from the Cusco School, a regional tradition of painting that developed in the colonial period. For many visitors, these paintings and the carved decoration are the main reason to step inside.
Planning your visit
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco 08000, Peru, in the historic centre.
- Phone: +51 84 234521, if you want to check arrangements before you go.
- Nearby: the square and the surrounding colonial streets, which are easy to combine with the cathedral in a single walk.
Because the cathedral is on the main square, it fits naturally into a day of wandering the old centre of Cusco. Allow time for both the exterior, with its position on the plaza, and the interior collections, and check ahead by phone for any current details before you plan your day around it.
