The Church of La Merced is one of the most famous religious temples in the city of Cusco, built during colonial times. This architectural group stands out for its baroque design, known for its domes, bell towers, and cloisters with stone arches. Also, because it is located just a few meters from the Plaza de Armas, it is an option to consider for a visit, with the goal of exploring the historic center while you go on treks Cusco.
Its main attraction is inside: a monstrance weighing 22 kilos and 1.25 meters high, made with gold, pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. This piece is considered one of the most valuable in Peru. The temple is located a few meters from the Plaza de Armas. Its preservation is a testimony of the power and faith that marked the viceregal legacy in the region.
Including a visit to the La Merced Church and Convent during your Cusco vacation will allow you to see one of the oldest buildings in the city, whose original structure dates back to the middle of the 16th century. Besides its artistic wealth, the convent holds the remains of important historical people, adding a deep historical value to your cultural tour.
The church and convent of La Merced (also known as the Minor Basilica of La Merced) is a colonial religious temple built in the city of Cusco during the 16th century but, due to the 1650 earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1670. It belongs to the Mercedarian order , which arrived in Cuzco in 1535.
The architecture of the temple has baroque characteristics. It consists of a single nave with a large dome and a side door. The cloisters of the convent exhibit museographic pieces where relics stand out such as canvases from the 'Cusco school of painting', colonial furniture, a tabernacle, a chandelier and a silver tabernacle. However, its greatest treasure is its custody, 22 kilos and 1.25 meters high, adorned with: gold, diamonds, pearls, rubies and emeralds.
Every 'Holy Monday', the image of the Lord of earthquakes (the most important dedication in the city) is carried on a litter to the church of La Merced where it stops for 1 hour. During this period, a mass is celebrated and the effigy's habit is changed.
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The church and convent of La Merced is located in front of the Espinar square, 250 meters southwest of the Plaza de Armas in the city of Cusco.
The Church and Convent of La Merced represents one of the most important historical complexes of the historic center. To understand its importance within Cusco's heritage, it is necessary to look at three main pillars that define its identity: its history through the centuries, the artistic style that defines it, and its role as a place of worship and preservation.
To visit the Convent of La Merced and enter its museum, where the famous gold and precious stone monstrance is shown, the entrance fee is 15 Peruvian soles per person (about 5 US dollars). It is important to mention that entering the church for worship is free during mass times, which are usually held on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Regarding the hours for tourist tours and museum visits, the convent opens its doors from Monday to Saturday in two shifts:
Morning shift: from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon shift: from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
It is recommended to visit the site during these times to calmly walk through the cloisters and the exhibition rooms of this important historical site.
Tourist visits inside the church of La Merced have an optional tour guide service (for a cost of approximately 15 Peruvian soles).
Within the convent of La Merced, one of its most famous enclosures is the 'Cell of Father Salamanca', a cloister where Francisco Salamanca lived and died. The walls of this cell are covered with murals of Biblical scenes. Father Salamanca died with a reputation for holiness.
The canvases that adorn the walls of the church and convent of La Merced were works by artists from the 'Cusco school of painting' (16th century). The most recognized artists are: Diego Quispe Tito, Bernardo Bitti, Martín de Loayza, Francisco de Padilla, Juan Espinoza de los Monteros, Basilio Santa Cruz, Marcos Rivera, Pedro Vargas and others.
Because of its location, the best way to get to La Merced Church is on foot. The temple is located on Mantas Street, just 250 meters from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco (about a 3-minute walk). This closeness makes it easily reachable from any point in the historic center.
If you are in hotels far from the monumental core, you can take a taxi that leaves you at the intersection of Marqués Street and Mantas Street. Since it is an area with a lot of walking and shops, walking around allows you to enjoy the colonial architecture that defines the city of Cusco.
During your visit, keep in mind that you cannot take pictures as the site is a sacred place. Nor should you take a seat on the colonial furniture or touch the relics that are kept there. It is recommended to remain silent during the tour, which takes approximately 35 minutes.
If you are interested in the colonial religious temples of Cusco, do not miss the opportunity to visit, in addition to the church and convent of La Merced, other temples such as: the church of the Company of Jesus, the church of Santo Domingo, the church and convent of San Francisco as well as the Cathedral of Cusco.
Cusco offers a geographical and archaeological diversity that goes much further than its colonial temples. To make the most of your vacations in Cusco, we recommend including these destinations that combine Inca engineering with the most spectacular landscapes of the Peruvian highlands.
Located just a few kilometers from the center, these archaeological zones are places you can visit during your first hikes in Cusco; moreover, if you buy your Cusco tourist ticket, you can visit these places and more:
Sacsayhuamán: Famous for its megalithic walls of stone carved with millimeter precision. It is the main stage for the Inti Raymi.
Qenqo: A ceremonial center carved into a natural rock formation, with underground passages and sacrifice altars.
Puca Pucara: Known as the "Red Fortress", it served as a military and administrative control post.
Tambomachay: The "Inca's Bath", a place dedicated to water worship with channels and constant waterfalls.
If you are looking for trek and Adventure experiences in Peru, the region has natural wonders that have become viral worldwide:
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): A unique geological formation located at more than 5,000 meters above sea level. Its natural color stripes offer one of the most photographed landscapes of Peru.
Humantay Lake: A jewel of turquoise waters located at the foot of the Salkantay snowy peak. It is a demanding but rewarding hike for lovers of nature photography.
Palccoyo Mountain: A less crowded alternative to Vinicunca, with easier access and equally impressive views of multi-colored mountains.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
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