Church of San Blas, one of the most important buildings of the catholic church

It was one of the first parishes built in Cusco by order of Viceroy Francisco Toledo, whose initial construction was destroyed by the earthquake of 1650. The current church has a construction platform in the shape of a Latin Cross and a simple façade with Plateresque characteristics.

The greatest wealth of this church consists of its important collection of paintings, its splendid main altar and, most especially, its famous baroque style pulpit made of a single piece of cedar and considered the finest example of wood carving made in America. colonial. This work dates from the last third of the s. XVII and is attributed to Juan Tomás Tuyru Túpac.

Location

It is located in one of the best-known neighborhoods in the city. Or known as the Artisans' Quarter, walking 10 minutes from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco.

Attractions

This church has exquisite works of art, highlighting, among them, its famous pulpit, which deserves a special study, as well as precious pictorial works from the Cuzco School. The church is built from adobe, inside it has a large amount of art and ornamentation. The Pulpit stands out, with its wonderful Baroque carving, where you can see a series of triumphalist sacred allegories, inspired by the belief of the counter-reformation. It is supported by a bronze structure that contains eight human busts. These busts represent the heretics of Catholicism.

Schedule

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Adult: S/ 15.00 - Student: S/ 7.50

Rate: Admission is included in the Ticket for the Cathedral Religious Circuit, Triunfo Temple, Sagrada Familia Temple, San Blas Temple, San Cristóbal Temple, Archbishop's Museum).

Adult Religious Circuit: S/. 50.00 - Student: S/. 25.00

Climate:

San Blas is located in the city of Cusco, therefore, they share two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season begins between the month of October or November, and ends in the month of March. On the other hand, the dry season, which by the way is the most recommended for trips to Cusco, begins in the month of April and ends approximately in the month of October.

Best season to get to Cusco:

Between the two seasons of the city of Cusco, it is recommended to take tours in and out of the city between the dry season (April to October). However, it is recommended to bring warm clothing for the mornings and evenings in Cusco. Since in these months you also feel intense cold.

History of the church of San Blas:

Within the history of the Church of San Blas there are two versions, the first indicates that the church was built during the time of the Inca Empire by command of Viceroy Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza. The building belongs to the old neighborhood of “Toqókachi” – San Blas, on the space called Arrayanpata (currently the San Blas square).

The second version, according to history, tells us that the church of San Blas was built, like other important constructions for Cusco, in an Inca sanctuary consecrated to the cult of Illapa or also known as the God of thunder, lightning and lightning.

The truth of everything is that the Church of San Blas is part of the first five parishes built for the meeting of God with the Indians of this time. Likewise, the church in question is considered one of the oldest parishes in the city of Cusco.

Since 1972, the property has been part of the Monumental Zone of Cusco, declared a Historical Monument of Peru. Likewise, in 1983, being part of the historic center of the city of Cusco, it was part of the central area declared by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The current temple was completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1650, maintaining its initial structure.

Main Characteristics of the San Blas Church in Cusco

The entire church is built of adobe, with gable roofs, and it also has a façade lacking in ornamentation.
On the outside of the church, you can see a balcony that in those years served as an open chapel.
Inside the church there is a large amount of artistic and ornamental art.
The altar of the church of San Blas is composed of a single nave covered in wood.
The large part of artistic material that adorns the walls of the church represents the life of Bishop San Blas.
The church has the image of one of the 15 saints who go out in procession during Corpus Christi in Cusco.
The baroque composition seen in the church belongs to an anonymous author who was apparently influenced by the style of Diego Quispe Tito.
The pulpit of the Church of San Blas is the most praised part in the country.
The main altar belongs to baroque art
The baroque structure that the church of San Blas has belongs to an anonymous author who, apparently, was influenced by the style of Diego Quispe Tito.
The greatest attraction that the church has is the important collection of paintings.
The majestic main altar steals the attention of every visitor thanks to the perfection and details captured in the main altar.
The pulpit of the church is in the baroque style made of a single piece of cedar and considered the finest example of wood carving made in colonial America, in fact, it is the most praised in Peru. After the collection of paintings, this is the other tourist attraction that you should pay attention to because it is believed that its creation was done by the architect and sculptor Juan Tomás Tuyro Tupa.
Juan Tomas Tuyro Tupa, was born in Cusco and because he was a descendant of the Incas, he obtained the title of Sergeant Major of the indigenous Nobility. The Cusco architect and sculptor stood out for his great artistic creativity in the creation of great works of art such as the altarpiece of Our Lady of Good Success in the church of San Blas. He is also credited with the creation of the pulpit thanks to the precious detail that It has such a great work of art. To confirm our description, I invite you to visit the church of San Blas.

In addition to the great work of art in the church of San Blas, it is said Juan Tomás Tuyro Tupa also created the plan of the church of San Pedro; He also carved altarpieces in the Cathedral, the image of Our Lady of Almudena in the church dedicated to her devotion, the pulpit of the church of Our Lady of Belén, and several images for the temples of San Sebastián and Santa Ana.

Currently groups of young people hold meetings with the aim of continuing evangelizing.

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