San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas
San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas
San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
It is believed there was already a small chapel built on an Inca temple, which was used as an Indian Reduction at the end of the XVI century, building of the temple as we know it began in 1610, through the initiative of the parish priest Juan Perez de Bocanegra. In the interior are two beautifully painted organs that are considered the oldest in America. This majestic artistry is also reflected in the coffered ceiling of Mudejar influence, the mural paintings of Luis de Riano, paintings of the Cusquena School of Art, the polychromy of the ceilings and the triumphal arch that divides the presbytery and the main nave. Its baptistery retains the baptismal formula in Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and Puquina. The paintings which adorn the walls are framed by enormous mouldings of cedar wood and gold leaf.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
460 reviews
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134
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TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ7,150 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This was our first stop while taking a bus trip through the Andes from Cuzco to Puno.
The simple Catholic Church built in the 1600s sits on top of a bunch of steps. We were expecting a similar interior, but boy, were we surprised? Hidden inside was an ornate and exquisite Gold Altar, gorgeous Murals, Ceiling Paintings and lovely Wood Carvings. The Tapestries were amazing. A lot of the art was influenced by Spanish, Moorish and Indigenous Artists.
This Church is nicknamed as “The Sistine Chapel of the Andes” for its magnificent murals and tapestries. That is going a little too far (we have seen the original in Rome), but it certainly is a major tourist attraction for sure.
No photos are allowed inside, but outside in the backyard, there are detailed photos of the baroque art seen inside. We took photos of these photos, and those were good enough for our memory book. The Gift Shop has a lot of nice items.
The stonework outside is also artistic – perfectly symmetrical circular patterns of the cobblestones were amazing. Plus, on the steps, do not miss the primitive petroglyphs -- clearly seen when the stones are wet.
The Market outside was not open when we visited, but it would definitely be bustling later in the day.
This stop was a surprising gem for us.
The simple Catholic Church built in the 1600s sits on top of a bunch of steps. We were expecting a similar interior, but boy, were we surprised? Hidden inside was an ornate and exquisite Gold Altar, gorgeous Murals, Ceiling Paintings and lovely Wood Carvings. The Tapestries were amazing. A lot of the art was influenced by Spanish, Moorish and Indigenous Artists.
This Church is nicknamed as “The Sistine Chapel of the Andes” for its magnificent murals and tapestries. That is going a little too far (we have seen the original in Rome), but it certainly is a major tourist attraction for sure.
No photos are allowed inside, but outside in the backyard, there are detailed photos of the baroque art seen inside. We took photos of these photos, and those were good enough for our memory book. The Gift Shop has a lot of nice items.
The stonework outside is also artistic – perfectly symmetrical circular patterns of the cobblestones were amazing. Plus, on the steps, do not miss the primitive petroglyphs -- clearly seen when the stones are wet.
The Market outside was not open when we visited, but it would definitely be bustling later in the day.
This stop was a surprising gem for us.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skeney57
Sydney, Australia24,722 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
This 17th Century Church is fairly plain on the exterior but is very impressive on the interior, with lots of gold plating/paint & jewelled ornaments, period paintings, and lots of religious icons. The forecourt has the obligatory native market but very low-key sellers, even laid back? They (or the tour operators) describe the Church as the Sistine chapel of the Americas but I thought the only thing in common was the 'No Photo' rule! At least it was open to the public!
Written 2 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marlene R
Reims, France125 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Surprising this small church in a somewhat isolated village but nicely located on a pleasant square! As soon as you enter inside, the magic happens: gilded gold mixes with colors, Andean religions are cleverly embedded in Catholic iconography, certainly you can not take pictures but you take plenty of eyes!!
We are delighted with this discovery, named here the Sistine Chapel of South America!
We are delighted with this discovery, named here the Sistine Chapel of South America!
Automatically translated
Written 2 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patrick d
Calais, France8,351 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Average due to the fact that photos are prohibited on site. Lots of advertising around this church (paid access anyway!) So frustration spoils the visit, however beautiful the interior is. Shop on the way out, to buy the photographic collections, obviously..
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wldtravels
florida239 contributions
Aug 2019
Size: This is a very large church/chapel...it is NOT a monstrous cathedral (like several in Cusco)
Condition: The building is in very good condition, as are the ornate displays inside.
Entrance Fee: We had to pay a fee to enter but our guide paid it so I don’t know how much it was.
Timeline: This is a Christian church built where the previous tribes/cultures worshipped. The Spanish conquistadors initiated its construction.
Access and mobility requirements: There are several stone steps to get to the entrance and a tall threshold to step over at the door. I didn’t see an access ramp but there might be one at a side entrance.
Nearby sites: This town was more than an hour south of Cusco and had a small museum, several market vendors and a few convenience stores in the square for water/drinks or snacks.
Can you do this on your own? This site requires a car to get to because it is more than an hour drive from Cusco. If you have transportation, you can go there on your own. Parking is not currently a problem at this site (as of the date of this writeup) because it was off the beaten path.
Restrooms? There were restrooms at the back of the courtyard out the side of the church. While the restrooms did not cost to enter, there was a donation box at the entrance. Remember 2 things: always bring your own hand sanitizer and toilet paper in case they run out (or don’t have any soap), and you do not flush your toilet paper in Peru. You place it in the trash can next to the toilet. This might sound awful, but it prevents the toilet from clogging, which would be worse for everyone.
Overall Suggestion for the Visit: Be sure to have a map with you to get to this location. The church is about 1km off the highway so knowing which road to turn down is important or you might not find it. Like many churches, hats should be taken off before entering.
The down-side:
- They don’t allow pictures. Also, you need a guide and special approval to go up in the towers, if they are open. Without a guide it would be impossible to know the details of this beautiful church and why it is so ornate (even the mirrors have a story). The church was built where the original/previous town church was located and many customs were co-opted from the old customs to make the conversion to Christianity smoother and easier for locals. Finally, I enjoy seeing beautiful cathedrals/churches/chapels and this was worthwhile, but for me, the sheer distance from Cusco makes this a hard site to recommend unless this is truly your “thing”. Especially since the huge churches in Cusco have a similar appearance. The truly unique part of this church is all the gold. No place else had this level of opulence.
Condition: The building is in very good condition, as are the ornate displays inside.
Entrance Fee: We had to pay a fee to enter but our guide paid it so I don’t know how much it was.
Timeline: This is a Christian church built where the previous tribes/cultures worshipped. The Spanish conquistadors initiated its construction.
Access and mobility requirements: There are several stone steps to get to the entrance and a tall threshold to step over at the door. I didn’t see an access ramp but there might be one at a side entrance.
Nearby sites: This town was more than an hour south of Cusco and had a small museum, several market vendors and a few convenience stores in the square for water/drinks or snacks.
Can you do this on your own? This site requires a car to get to because it is more than an hour drive from Cusco. If you have transportation, you can go there on your own. Parking is not currently a problem at this site (as of the date of this writeup) because it was off the beaten path.
Restrooms? There were restrooms at the back of the courtyard out the side of the church. While the restrooms did not cost to enter, there was a donation box at the entrance. Remember 2 things: always bring your own hand sanitizer and toilet paper in case they run out (or don’t have any soap), and you do not flush your toilet paper in Peru. You place it in the trash can next to the toilet. This might sound awful, but it prevents the toilet from clogging, which would be worse for everyone.
Overall Suggestion for the Visit: Be sure to have a map with you to get to this location. The church is about 1km off the highway so knowing which road to turn down is important or you might not find it. Like many churches, hats should be taken off before entering.
The down-side:
- They don’t allow pictures. Also, you need a guide and special approval to go up in the towers, if they are open. Without a guide it would be impossible to know the details of this beautiful church and why it is so ornate (even the mirrors have a story). The church was built where the original/previous town church was located and many customs were co-opted from the old customs to make the conversion to Christianity smoother and easier for locals. Finally, I enjoy seeing beautiful cathedrals/churches/chapels and this was worthwhile, but for me, the sheer distance from Cusco makes this a hard site to recommend unless this is truly your “thing”. Especially since the huge churches in Cusco have a similar appearance. The truly unique part of this church is all the gold. No place else had this level of opulence.
Written 13 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacek_Polska
Poland222 contributions
Aug 2019
What a gem! Beautiful church decorated with numerous paintings with gold-covered altar being a most impressive part of the decor. Best example of Andean Baroc!
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ewilkens
St Louis, Missouri161 contributions
May 2011 • Solo
This is the second time I have tried to write a review about this wonderful World UNESCO site. It is amazing. Its renovations are being funded by the World Monument Fund. It is more beautiful than the Sistine Chapel.
Written 14 June 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
albertsebastian
Melbourne, Australia246 contributions
Feb 2019
We stopped here for a break on the coach trip to Puno. Wonderful to see the inside of this old church with all the golden gilded statues and alter.
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the description of the Temple, and for your visit.
Written 3 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anna99
London117 contributions
May 2019
There is an amazing WOW factor as you go into the Baroque church, gold everywhere apart from the Rococo style silver tabernacle. Look out for the sculptures and frescos of mermaids which is unusual for a church. And don’t forget to look up at the ceiling. Church often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of America.
Not to be missed. We visited as a stop on our Inka Express coach trip from Puno to Cusco.
Not to be missed. We visited as a stop on our Inka Express coach trip from Puno to Cusco.
Written 24 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
downhillcyclist
United Kingdom340 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
The interior of this church is extraordinary. There is so much gold leaf and silver the whole interior glows. Lots of interesting religious art. Well worth a quick look en route from Cusco to Puno.
Written 14 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola Pablo, disculpa la demora de la respuesta. El costo de ingreso es de 15 soles extranjeros, 10 soles nacionales y estudiantes. El boleto te permite el ingreso a 3 iglesias en total: Andahuaylillas, Huaro y Canincunca. En Andahuaylillas el horario es de corrido: Lunes a domingo: 7:30 a.m. a 5:30 p.m. Para los otros templos, recomendamos visita la web Ruta del Barroco Andino, sección: Planea tu visita
Written 18 June 2018
Hello, you can access to our website: Ruta del Barroco Andino
Written 18 June 2018
Hi Joanp. Did you visit as part of a tour and if yes, which tour company. Thanks!
Written 18 June 2016
I visited the area as part of my trip to Peru with Discover Corps. You can go to their website to see all the trips they offer. It was wonderful.
Written 18 June 2016
Hi! The visit to this church has a price? I need to buy a ticket?
Written 8 January 2016
Hola, disculpa la demora de la respuesta. El costo de ingreso es de 15 soles extranjeros, 10 soles nacionales y estudiantes. El boleto te permite el ingreso a 3 iglesias en total: Andahuaylillas, Huaro y Canincunca. Para más detalles, recomendamos visite la web Ruta del Barroco Andino, sección: Planea tu visita
Written 18 June 2018
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