Spanish and Inca structures side-by-side
Spanish and Inca structures side by side
These structures are situated within the Convent of Santo Domingo in Cuzco, Peru.
On the left is a structure built by the Spanish and on the right is the ruins of the Qorikancha, an Inca temple dedicated to the sun god.
Qorikancha, which means golden compound in Quechua, was a magnificent Inca temple dedicated to Inti, the sun god. It was rebuilt by Pachacuti, a powerful Inca Emperor who was also known for rebuilding the city of Cuzco.
The walls of the temple were made of finely polished, precisely cut and perfectly fitting stones and were covered with sheets of gold. The Qorikancha was also the home for the Inca royal mummies, some of which were believed to be the mummies of former Sapa Incas. In the niches, there were golden statues of huacas (sacred objects)and emeralds.
When the Spanish saw the Qorikancha, they were awestruck by its beauty and opulence, and yet they plundered the treasure and destroyed the royal mummies. Because the Qorikancha structure being very strong, they were unable to destroy it entirely. They left remaining part of the temple as is and built the Convent of Santo Domingo on top of the ruins.
Related Pages
– Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, Peru
– Inca Civilization, Ancient Cultures of Peru
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