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Cuzco—a city in southern Peru—definitely has a lot to offer its visitors. Besides the nearby archaeological site of Machu Picchu, the Plaza de Armas, and the monumental cathedral, be sure not to miss the most significant Inca temple, Qorikancha.
Step back over 800 years and experience the atmosphere of a fascinating temple considered one of the most sacred places in the Inca Empire.
History of the Temple of the Sun in Peru
The Incas built the temple in 1200 AD, and it was dedicated to the Sun god, Inti. Its name translates to “Golden Courtyard” because it was originally covered in gold plates and adorned with golden statues.
As mentioned, it was the most important religious temple in Cuzco. Qorikancha was even the site where the highest figures of the Inca hierarchy gathered to worship the Sun god. The Incas built other temples in the area, but no remains of those have survived.
In addition to being a temple, Qorikancha also served as an astronomical observatory, where constellations were observed. The Incas possessed highly advanced knowledge of astronomy, and their observations of celestial bodies played a key role in their religious and daily life. At Qorikancha, …