Last updated on December 18, 2023.

A short walk uphill from Plaza de Armas in Cusco is a much smaller plaza, Plazoleta Nazarenas. There are a few historic buildings around the square that have been refurbished for modern uses.

Plazoleta Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru
Plazoleta Nazarenas

 

Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

One of those buildings is a mansion built in 1850 by the Earl of Cabrera. Before that, in 1580, it was the mansion of Alonso Díaz, a Spanish conquistador. It was built over the Inca ceremonial court of Kancha Inca. Today, the building houses the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (Museo de Arte Precolombino). It’s open daily from 8am to 10pm. Admission for foreigners is S/20 (as of July 2023).

Museo de Arte Precolombino on Plazoleta Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru
Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

 

San Antonio Abad Seminary

Another important building on Plazoleta Nazarenas is the former San Antonio Abad Seminary (Seminario de San Antonio Abad). Built in 1592, it’s now a luxury hotel. The Chapel of San Antonio Abad (Capilla de San Antonio Abad) is still functioning and was built in 1678.

Seminario de San Antonio Abad on Plazoleta Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru
San Antonio Abad Seminary
Capilla de San Antonio Abad on Plazoleta Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru
The Chapel of San Antonio Abad

 

Palacio Nazarenas

Finally, there’s the Palacio Nazarenas, which is now an exclusive boutique hotel.

Palacio Nazarenas on Plazoleta Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru
Palacio Nazarenas

 

Archbishop’s Palace

Follow the road downhill one block south from Plazoleta Nazarenas and you will come to the Archbishop’s Palace (Palacio Arzobispal). Inside is the Religious Art Museum (Museo de Arte Religioso), where you can find priceless works of religious art. To be honest, the museum part was a little disappointing. Admission to the palace is S/15 (as of July 2023) or included in the Religious Circuit Ticket (Boleto del Circuito Religioso).

Palacio Arzobispal in Cusco, Peru
Archbishop’s Palace

 

Hatunrumiyoc

The Archbishop’s Palace was built on top of the Inca Roca Palace and features many interesting stones. You can admire them walking along Calle Hatunrumiyoc. The street is named for one of the most famous Inca sites in Cusco, a unique 12-sided stone built into the palace called Hatunrumiyoc. It displays Inca architectural ingenuity.

Palacio Arzobispal in Cusco, Peru
Archbishop’s Palace
Hatunrumiyoc at Palacio Arzobispal in Cusco, Peru
Hatunrumiyoc

 

San Francisco de Borja Royal College

A block west of Plazoleta Nazarenas, back towards Plaza de Armas, is a school with a fountain in front, San Francisco de Borja Royal College (Colegio Real San Francisco de Borja). It was a Spanish colonial school that specialized in the education of Inca nobles.

Colegio Real San Francisco de Borja in Cusco, Peru
San Francisco de Borja Royal College

If you climb the wall with the fence on top, you will get a great view of Plaza de Armas. Follow the path along the wall for even more great views.

Plaza de Armas from Colegio Real San Francisco de Borja in Cusco, Peru
Plaza de Armas from San Francisco de Borja Royal College

 

Inka Museum

Across from the school is the Inka Museum (Museo Inka), housed in the former Admiral’s Palace (Palacio del Almirante). It was one of the best examples of a colonial home in Cusco and was built on top of Inca foundations. The museum is one of the most spectacular in Peru and a must-see when visiting Cusco. The collection starts out a bit slow with too much pottery, but once you get up to the second floor, you will find an incredible collection of artifacts and displays about Inca history. Admission for foreigners is S/20 (as of July 2023) and it’s open daily.

Museo Inka in Cusco, Peru
Inka Museum
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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