San Blas, formerly known as the "artisans' neighborhood", is a valuable place within the Historic Center of Cusco that maintains its classic original state, with its narrow streets made of stone. Tourists can easily reach and tour this well-known neighborhood because it is located just 4 blocks from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco.
At the time of the Inca Empire, the San Blas neighborhood was known as T'oqokachi (in Spanish, Hueco or Cueva de Sal) by the inhabitants. During the colonial era, all the architectural beauty that the place possesses was built, precisely mixing Andean and European styles.
The history of San Blas goes back to the times of the Inca Empire. During this time, the neighborhood was called T'oqokachi, a name that in Quechua means "Salt Cave". Here, as it happens today, lived important families dedicated to architecture and crafts.
T'oqokachi was a very charming place since, being at a height, water from springs reached here and there was a spectacular view of the entire valley of Cusco.
In addition, among its streets were the mortal remains of Pachacútec, one of the most important Incas and the one who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu. For this reason, it is believed that this place was of great importance to the Inca elite.
With the arrival of the Spanish, the neighborhood changed its name and became known as San Blas, in honor of a 3rd century bishop who was dedicated to healing people and animals.
The conquistadors destroyed the few temples that were here and built the buildings that we can see today when we walk through the streets of San Blas. The colonial architecture with great Andean influence gives this neighborhood a magical touch that leaves all who visit it in love.
After the independence of Peru and with the arrival of the Republic, the San Blas neighborhood gradually became one of the main tourist attractions in Cusco and continued to be the home of great artists from Cusco. Some of these artists, such as Mendivil, Olave and Mérida, have authentic art galleries in the neighborhood itself, which you can visit and even where you can buy some of their works.
The San Blas neighborhood has very interesting places to visit day and night, as its narrow and beautiful streets full of art and culture will make you have the best of experiences in the magical city of Cusco. Next, we present the places preferred by both locals and visitors.
On your tour of San Blas you can visit the workshops and shops of the best artists in Cusco. You can also visit other places such as: the Stone of the 12 angles, the main temple, the San Blas market and more.
Hatun Rumiyoc is a Quechua word that means 'big stone street'. It connects the Plaza de Armas of Cusco with the famous Stone of the 12 angles. This popular polished rock in twelve corners is part of a wall of the Inca palace of Sinchi Roca (now the Archbishop's Palace). In this street shows some craft shops.
The family's Casa Mérida is located on Calle Carmen Alto. Edilberto Mérida's work moved away from traditional imagery with a European flair. His work has disproportionate features with large hands and huge feet. Most of them are costumbristas where the indigenous people with faces of pain stand out. One of his most recognized works is the 'Indigenous Jesus Christ'.
The artisan from Cusco Antonio Olave is famous for being the creator of the 'Manuelito boy'. The tenderness and delicacy that his works give off have earned him several awards such as: 'Great Master of Peruvian Crafts' and 'Living Human Treasure of the Nation'. In his work you can see mirrored palates, bird feather teeth and natural hair on the heads of these 'Manuelitos' children.
The small but famous market of San Blas is characterized by offering fruits, vegetables and food from Cusco to tourists who pass through there. Many of them choose to have lunch or breakfast in this market. You can also buy various handicrafts such as alpaca clothing, souvenirs and more.
More than a point to visit, it is a kind of mandatory preview if you come from the Plaza de Armas. The San Blas slope begins on “Choque Chaqa” street and you will be able to get a first impression of what the other little streets that connect with the square are like. On the slope of San Blas we will find:
Galleries and workshops: you have at your disposal the galleries and workshops of the most renowned Cusco artists, as well as taking a look at these wonderful works and buying one that catches your eye.
San Blas square: at the end of the San Blas slope we will find the San Blas square, that small meeting point where we can rest and relax after so much hustle and bustle. From here we can easily access two of the most visited attractions in the area: the San Blas Temple and the Hilario Mendivil y Familia Gallery.
During the day the view is splendid, but at night the city lights up and it is a spectacle that you definitely do not want to miss. The local businesses adopt the night climate and become very attractive places for those interested, especially the bars.
There are also nocturnal tours by local singer-songwriters, who, through their music, tell us myths, legends and a bit of culture.
The famous Temple of San Blas, also known as the Church of San Blas, was built in adobe in 1563 on an Inca huaca in which the god Illapa was venerated. It was rebuilt in stone in 1650 after an earthquake. Today it is considered one of the jewels of colonial architecture.
The Hilario Mendivil and Family Gallery is one of the most important museums in the city of Cusco. It is the place where the Mendívil family, and especially Hilario Mendivil, present their wonderful art to the public. Hilario Mendivil was one of the greatest Peruvian artisans of the 20th century, being recognized for his art and style of clothing, such as saints, virgins and arquebusiers with a serene face and long neck.
How could it be otherwise, a place as busy as the Barrio de San Blas has a wide variety of restaurants and bars for all tastes. We mention a couple of them:
To end our daytime tour, and in order to contemplate the beautiful sunset that falls on the Historic Center of Cusco, the San Blas Viewpoint will be our next stop. It is found going up to Tandapata Street, from the San Blas Square, and finally through Pasñapaskana Street. In addition, it has been remodeled and conditioned to offer the best view and comfort to visitors.
Currently, the friendly residents of this neighborhood proudly show visitors all the artistic expressions in goldsmithing, ceramics, and wood or stone carving that they created in San Blas.
As we mentioned before, San Blas, at night, turns into a colorful party. The bars welcome travelers who come to see the wonderful city of Cusco with joy and good music. Did you dare to know a little more about it? So don't wait any longer and get to know this spectacular neighborhood in the imperial city.
The San Blas neighborhood has police security 24 hours a day. Tourists can walk its streets either during the day or at night with complete peace of mind.
Tourism agencies do not offer a tour package for the San Blas neighborhood.
However, if the tourist wants to know the attractions of this place in the company of a professional tour guide, they can request their service through a tourism agency (either online or in the city of Cusco itself).
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.
