The Coricancha (from the Quechua word Quri Qancha meaning 'Golden Courtyard'), originally named Inti Qancha (' Temple of the Sun') was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the Sun God.
It was one of the most revered and respected temples of the city of Cusco, Peru.
The walls and floors were once covered in sheets of solid gold, and the courtyard was filled with golden statues. Spanish reports tell of its opulence that was 'fabulous beyond belief'. The Church of Santo Domingo was built on the site, using the ruined foundations of the temple that was flattened by the Spanish in the 17th century, and is a fine example of where Inca stonework has been incorporated into the structure of a colonial building. Major earthquakes have severely damaged the church, but the Inca stone walls, built out of huge, tightly-interlocking blocks of stone, still stand thanks to the sophisticated stone masonry. Nearby is an underground archaeological site museum containing a number of interesting pieces, including mummies, textiles and sacred idols.Travel Guide - Coricancha Inca Ruins - Peru http://www.wordtravels.com/Attractions/Countries/Peru/Attractions/Coricancha+Inca+Ruins/
References
Other pages about Buildings and structures in Peru
-Alto de la Alianza -Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa -Camisea Gas Project -Chilca -Coricancha -Estadio Melgar -Hacienda San Jose (Ica, Peru) -Huamanga Archos -List of hospitals in Peru -Mosque Bab ul Islam -Senor de Burgos Church, Amazonas
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Coricancha
