San Francisco Church and Museum, Cusco
The San Francisco Church and Museum, located in Cusco, is a significant cultural and historical landmark within the city. Constructed in the Franciscan tradition, the church is situated on the south side of San Francisco Square. Since 1972, this edifice has been recognized as part of the Monumental Zone of Cusco, and in 1983, it was further honored as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing the historic center of Cusco.
Architecturally, the church features a simple yet striking design compared to other churches in Cusco. It includes a single tower housing seven bells, one of which is the second largest in the city. The church is structured in the shape of a Latin cross and has three naves of basilica type. A notable interior feature is the high choir, meticulously carved in cedar in 1652 by friars Luis Montes, Isidro Fern谩ndez Inca, and Antonio de Paz, showcasing images of 93 Catholic saints.
The church鈥檚 Romanesque exterior and Plateresque front contribute to its aesthetic appeal, while its basements contain crypts that historically served as a burial site. Adjacent to the church is the convent, originally consisting of four cloisters, which now serve various educational and historical purposes. The second cloister, in particular, continues to function as part of the Colegio San Francisco de As铆s.
The San Francisco Museum, housed within the church, spans two floors and is among the largest museums in Cusco. It is renowned for its extensive collection of religious paintings, Colonial furniture, and the impressive "Genealogy of the Franciscan Order" canvas by Juan Espinoza de los Monteros, measuring 12 meters by 9 meters. This canvas along with other artifacts like the series of Saint Antonio images, enriches visitors' understanding of the Franciscan heritage and the religious and cultural history of the area.
Architecturally, the church features a simple yet striking design compared to other churches in Cusco. It includes a single tower housing seven bells, one of which is the second largest in the city. The church is structured in the shape of a Latin cross and has three naves of basilica type. A notable interior feature is the high choir, meticulously carved in cedar in 1652 by friars Luis Montes, Isidro Fern谩ndez Inca, and Antonio de Paz, showcasing images of 93 Catholic saints.
The church鈥檚 Romanesque exterior and Plateresque front contribute to its aesthetic appeal, while its basements contain crypts that historically served as a burial site. Adjacent to the church is the convent, originally consisting of four cloisters, which now serve various educational and historical purposes. The second cloister, in particular, continues to function as part of the Colegio San Francisco de As铆s.
The San Francisco Museum, housed within the church, spans two floors and is among the largest museums in Cusco. It is renowned for its extensive collection of religious paintings, Colonial furniture, and the impressive "Genealogy of the Franciscan Order" canvas by Juan Espinoza de los Monteros, measuring 12 meters by 9 meters. This canvas along with other artifacts like the series of Saint Antonio images, enriches visitors' understanding of the Franciscan heritage and the religious and cultural history of the area.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cusco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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San Francisco Church and Museum on Map
Sight Name: San Francisco Church and Museum
Sight Location: Cusco, Peru (See walking tours in Cusco)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cusco, Peru (See walking tours in Cusco)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cusco, Peru
Create Your Own Walk in Cusco
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cusco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cusco's Historical Churches
Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, is one of the oldest cities in the world. In the 16th century, Spanish missionaries introduced the area to Catholicism. The result of that has been a plethora of historical churches built in the city since.
Among the marvels of local ecclesiastical architecture, the Cusco Cathedral reigns supreme. Constructed on the foundations of an Inca temple,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among the marvels of local ecclesiastical architecture, the Cusco Cathedral reigns supreme. Constructed on the foundations of an Inca temple,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Cusco Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled high in the Andes mountains, Cusco is a city bursting with stories to tell. Peru's historic capital city was also the Inca Empire's center until the Spanish conquistadors arrived.
Before the Inca settled in the area, the Killke people were here from the years 900 to 1200. Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside of town, was built as a fortress by the Killke.
The Inca later... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Before the Inca settled in the area, the Killke people were here from the years 900 to 1200. Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside of town, was built as a fortress by the Killke.
The Inca later... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles