Iglesia de la Compañía

Across the corner from the cathedral [1] is the 17th-century Iglesia de la Compañía (9–11:30 a.m. and 1–5:30 p.m. daily, US$3.50 or boleto religioso), which was built on top of the palace of Inca Huayna Cápac.

This church was built by the Jesuits, who were expelled from Latin America in 1767, but not before they built a series of churches in Peru’s principal cities that outshine even the cathedral. This graceful, highly ornate facade is a case in point, behind which is a single nave leading to a spectacular baroque altar.

Near the main door is a 17th-century painting depicting the wedding of Inca princess Beatriz Clara Coya to Spanish captín Martín García de Loyola, grandnephew of San Ignacio de Loyola.