Stone steps lead from the Plaza de Armas to the platform where the church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas stands. The church is also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” The main square, church and streets of the town offer different ways to explore Andahuaylillas’ culture and townscape.

Church, art and architecture

The church is designed in the Andean Baroque style, while its façade reflects the Renaissance style. Inside, murals adorn the nave; most are attributed to Luis de Riaño. The organs are also part of the church’s furnishings: two instruments were built between 1606 and 1620 and are considered the oldest in Latin America. Architecture, painting and music history come together here in a single building.

History and living traditions

The monumental zone of Andahuaylillas and its surroundings were declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation of Peru by Resolución Directoral Nacional No. 822/INC. Andahuaylillas also preserves important evidence of the Wari and Chanka cultures. Restored haciendas and manor houses are among the area’s historical assets. These connections represent different aspects of the town: cultural evidence, historic buildings, and the recognition of the monumental zone and its surroundings as Peruvian cultural heritage.

Andahuaylillas is also home to customs associated with sowing and harvesting maize that have been passed down through generations. They are linked to communal work and solidarity. This agricultural tradition adds another perspective on the town’s cultural character to its architectural and artistic history. Those interested in Andahuaylillas will find more than a single attraction: traditional communal practices are also among the topics described here.

Plaza, streets and viewpoint

The Plaza de Armas has outer and inner gardens with palm and pisonay trees. A walk through Andahuaylillas takes in narrow cobbled streets and houses that retain features of colonial architecture. Here, the main square and the layout of the streets come into focus, while the church and monumental zone form a distinct architectural highlight.

A path leads from the main square to the Mirador del Señor de la Misión. The walk is listed as approximately 575 meters and around 30 minutes; the distance and walking time may vary slightly on site. From the viewpoint, you can look out over the town center and the Andahuaylillas valley as far as the Piñipampa area. This lets you combine a stroll through the streets and past the houses with views over the town and valley, while keeping the two routes distinct when planning: the path to the Mirador starts at the main square and has its own approximate walking time.

Getting there and practical information

A route listing dated November 13, 2024, gives a tourist minibus on a paved road as the way to travel from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco to Pueblo de Andahuaylillas. It lists a distance of 40.4 kilometers and a journey time of 55 minutes. These figures refer to the trip between Cusco and Andahuaylillas; the walk to the Mirador is a separate route. Before your trip, check current transport options and journey times for your plans.

The municipal tourist information office is listed at the Plaza de Armas; its opening hours are given as 08:00 to 17:00. Check the hours before your visit. If you are looking for a hotel in Andahuaylillas, the church, plaza, historical connections and Mirador offer different starting points for choosing the focus of your stay in town.

Discover more destinations: Urubamba, Huarocondo, Ocongate, Maras, Ollantaytambo, Oroya, Chillca, Checacupe.

For the broader travel overview: Cuzco.