Discover Andahuaylillas

San Pedro Apóstol Church

Andahuaylillas is best appreciated through its townscape and the San Pedro Apóstol Church: stone steps lead from the Plaza de Armas to the platform where the church stands. The church is also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” The path up from the square and the church’s position on the platform give the building a clear connection to the heart of the town.

The church brings together a range of distinctive design features. It is designed in the Andean Baroque style, while its façade is in the Renaissance style. Murals adorn the nave, most of them attributed to Luis de Riaño. The church also has two organs, built between 1606 and 1620, which are considered the oldest organs in Latin America. Visitors interested in sacred architecture will find noteworthy details both in the building itself and in its furnishings.

Cultural history and traditional customs

The monumental zone of Andahuaylillas and its surroundings were declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation of Peru by National Directoral Resolution No. 822/INC. The area’s historic resources include restored haciendas and manor houses. Andahuaylillas also preserves important evidence of the Wari and Chanka cultures. Together, these aspects offer insight into the town’s architectural and cultural history, which extends beyond the church.

The town’s cultural character also includes the customs of sowing and harvesting maize, preserved across generations. These are associated with communal work and solidarity. Thus, alongside buildings and historical evidence, traditions that shape community life also take center stage. For visitors interested in local culture, this offers a distinct way to experience Andahuaylillas.

Townscape and views

As you walk through Andahuaylillas, you’ll see narrow cobbled streets and houses that retain their colonial architectural features. Here, the focus is less on any one building and more on the streetscape and the preserved features of the houses. The Plaza de Armas adds its own distinctive touch: its outer and inner gardens feature palm trees and Pisonay trees.

In the district, a 575-metre walking trail leads along a path from Andahuaylillas’s main square to the Mirador del Señor de la Misión; the walk takes about 30 minutes. From the viewpoint, you can look out over the town centre and the Andahuaylillas Valley as far as the Piñipampa area. This means you can plan a walk with views of the town and its surroundings, alongside visits to its buildings and places of historical interest.

Getting there and choosing a holiday destination

The journey from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco to Pueblo de Andahuaylillas is listed as a 55-minute trip by tourist minibus along a paved road, covering 40.4 kilometres. These details refer to the route between the two named squares. They can help you plan if you’re considering Andahuaylillas as a travel destination.

If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Andahuaylillas, the town’s cultural focus can be a helpful factor when choosing your destination. Consider whether you’re especially interested in church art and architectural history, or whether you’d also like to make time for a walk through the streets and up to the Mirador.

More destinations: Lamay, Quillabamba, Maras, Huaro, Chillca, Santa Teresa, Ocongate, Checacupe.

See the full travel overview: Cuzco.