Cusco

Temple of the Sun

Koricancha —The Golden House — was the principal temple dedicated to the Sun, the highest deity in Inca times. The outer wall has a perfect curvature and very fine stonework.

Originally, the temple walls were covered with sheets of gold and the terraces exhibited golden images of sacred plants and animals, such as corn and llamas.

The temple was destroyed around 1560 and of the convent of Santo Domingo incorporates the circular wall, ceremonial fountain and the few remaining walls.

Even though the the temple is stripped of its gold and silver, it takes little imagination to visualize how magnificent the temple must have been.