Qurikancha, Peru
For the mountain in Bolivia, see Quri Kancha (Bolivia). For the archaeological site of Intikancha in the Puno Region, Peru, see Intikancha. Qurikancha Cusco Coricancha Inti-Huasi main Qurikancha with Convent of Santo Domingo above Location Cusco, Cusco Province, Cusco Region, Peru Region Andes Coordinates 13°31′12″S 71°58′32″WCoordinates: 13°31′12″S 71°58′32″W Type Sanctuary History Cultures Inca Qurikancha[1] or Quri Kancha (Quechua quri gold, kancha enclosure, enclosed place, yard, a frame, or wall that encloses,[2] also spelled Coricancha), originally named Inti Kancha (Quechua inti sun) or Inti Wasi (Quechua for "sun house"),[3] was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the Sun God. It was one of the most revered temples of the capital city of Cusco. Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui rebuilt Cusco and the House of the Sun, enriching it with more oracles and edifices, and adding plates of fine gold. He provided vases of gold and silver for the Mama-cunas, nuns, to use in the veneration services. Finally, he took the bodies of the seven deceased Incas, and enriched them with masks, head-dresses, medals, bracelets, sceptres of gold, placing them on a golden bench.[4]:68–69,75 The walls were once covered in sheets of solid gold,[5]:218–219 and its adjacent courtyard was filled with golden statues. Spanish reports tell of its opulence that was "fabulous beyond belief". When the Spanish required the Inca to raise a ransom in gold for the life of the leader Atahualpa, most of the gold was collected from Qurikancha.[6]
Size: 4000px × 6000px
Location: Cusco, Peru
Photo credit: © Temple of the Sun / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: archaeology, cusco, peru, qurikancha, sun, temple
