Since May 8, Peru has taken on special significance in the international arena. The election of Pope Leo XIV, a naturalized Peruvian, has turned the eyes of the world to this culturally rich nation in South America.
In the Cusco region, located in southern Peru, stands San Pedro’s Church. This 16th-century work of art is the main church of Andahuaylillas, a small town of 5,000 inhabitants located where there was once an Inca settlement.
The wonder of a new faith
The walls of this temple dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle are made of mud, and the exterior is simple. The façade features an open chapel in the form of a balcony, a common feature in Andean churches, and a bell tower.
However, across the threshold, this church takes on an overwhelming Baroque style. Its walls are covered with gold leaf, carvings, and murals, most of which were created by the Lima artist Luis de Riaño.
The ceiling, which is almost completely covered with ornamentation, is decorated with natural motifs. Contrastingly, the walls are adorned with paintings depicting the Crucifixion, the baptism of Christ, St. Michael the Archangel, and Our Lady of the Rosary, among other sacred themes.
Some historians suggest that this building, attributed to Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, was given this ornate style to amaze the indigenous people who had recently converted to Catholicism. This would thus help them to experience the immensity of this new faith they were beginning to live and learn about.
The treasures it contains
The mural depicting evangelization is the most famous in this church. It’s located on the inside of the entrance wall and shows two paths: on the left, it illustrates the easy path, which leads to hell; while on the right, it shows the path that, with difficulties and sacrifices, leads to heaven.
The baptistery contains the inscription, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen,” in five different languages: Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Puquina. This is because this building was one of the two churches used in Cusco as centers for the translation of indigenous languages. Some of these languages, such as Quechua, are still spoken in certain regions.
The main altarpiece is made of wood and covered with gold leaf. This Baroque carving highlights Our Lady of the Rosary, who occupies the central part, even though the church is dedicated to Saint Peter.
The two pipe organs in this church are considered the oldest in the Americas. The main one bears decoration representing King David and the Queen, and the second, a choir of angels playing different instruments.
To visit, you can take the “Andean Baroque Circuit” or travel about 45 minutes from the main square of Cusco.
