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The Incas have long inspired generations of travelers. The Inca built a remarkable empire and civilization in the Andes of South America - the largest of the continent. Also spelled "Qorikancha", Coricancha means "The Golden Temple" in the Inca language Quechua. It is regarded as the most important ancient temple complex of the Inca Empire.

The ancient capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco in the Sacred Valley (no, the capital wasn't Machu Picchu - or Choquequirao, which was three times bigger than Machu Picchu). When visiting Peru, take the time to also explore the many pre-Inca civilizations (the lost city of Chavin de Huantar).

Coricancha with the Convent of Santo Domingo
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Coricancha with the Convent of Santo Domingo

The Complex Of Coricancha - The Holiest Site Of The Inca Empire

When Inca Emperor Pachacutec ascended to the throne in 1438, he redesigned Cusco and its street grid to be in the shape of a puma. The temple complex, Coricancha, was placed at the animal's tail (considered by them as the holiest site). Coricancha is also spelled Koricancha or Qorikancha. It was the crowning jewel of the Inca capital city of Cusco.

To the ancient Incas, the complex of Coricancha was not only the holiest site in the Empire but also it was thought of as the center of the Inca world. It was dedicated to the gods Viracocha (the Creator god), Quilla (the mood goddess), and Inti (the god of the sun).

Related: All Roads Lead To Machu Picchu? Why The Inca Roads Were The Best In The Americas

The Temple Of The Sun & Other Attractions Of The Coricancha Complex

The Temple of the Sun was the most important temple in the complex of Coricancha. It was dedicated to the sun god Inti. There was a golden statue of Inti inside the temple adorned with jewels. The stomach of the god statue was hollow and used to store the ashes of the organs of previous Inca rulers. Each day the statue was taken out into the open air and then taken back to the shrine during the night.

Inca sun temple or Qorikancha in Cusco city during Inti Raymi
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Inca sun temple or Qorikancha in Cusco city during Inti Raymi

At one time, The Temple of the Sun would have been quite the experience. There were even seven deceased Incas clad with headdresses, bracelets, scepters of gold, medals, and masks set on a golden bench. The wall of the temple was also covered with sheets of gold, and the temple was described by the Spanish as "fabulous beyond belief." The Spanish ended up looting or otherwise requisitioning the gold. The gold was considered to be the sweat of the sun. It has been recorded that there were 700 half-meter square sheets of gold, and each weighed 2 kilograms.

There were five other temples around the main square of Coricancha's courtyard.

  • Temple of the Moon: Considered the Wife of the Sun & The Temple Was An Important Part Of Coricancha
  • Temple of Venus and the Stars: Was Where The Inca Divinized For Sacrifices, Ceremonies, and Festivals
  • Rainbow Temple: It Was Also Mostly Destroyed With Building The Spanish Structures
Stonework of a wall in an Inca temple in Cuzco
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Stonework of a wall in an Inca temple in Cuzco

Dismemberment & Destruction Of The Temple Of Coricancha

Unfortunately, after the Spanish conquered the Inca Empire, they set to work on dismantling the memory of the Inca Empire and built their own new world order on its ruins. In the 16th century, the Spanish quarried its stones to construct their own homes and churches. Much of its materials were used to construct the Santo Domingo Convent.

In Mexico City, they destroyed and built over the once great Aztec pyramid temple of Templo Mayor (so much so that its location was lost for many years - today people can see its ruins). Today, the impressive Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan is buried under Mexico City.

On its base, the Spanish built the Convent of Santo Domingo. So, visitors today can only see the foundation of the old Temple of the Sun/Coricancha. While earthquakes destroyed the earlier Spanish churches, the Inca walls built of precision dry-stone walls proved earthquake-proof.

Related: What You Need To Know About Hiking The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Festival of Inti Raymi being celebrated
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The Inca Festival of Inti Raymi being celebrated

What To Expect When Visiting The Temple Of The Sun Today

Visitors to the Temple of the Sun should explore the nearby underground archeological museum and see its exhibits of textiles, sacred Inca idols, and mummies. Today, there is little of the old temple still around, with the exception of some of the remarkable fine stone walls.

Temple Of The Sun Opening Hours

  • Monday to Saturday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Sunday 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

The most imposing monument there today is the monastery of Santo Domingo. It was built on the site as the Spanish sought to drive home the point that their religion - Catholicism - had replaced the old Inca religion. Santo Domingo is also worth visiting and exploring and is an impressive example of Spanish colonial architecture. Visitors need to use their imagination to picture what the site was like before the Spanish arrived.